IDEF 2017: FNSS expands Pars range
09th May 2017 - 14:52 by Tim Fish in Istanbul
As Turkey increases its self-sufficiency in armoured vehicles and funds research and development, the manufacturers are able to increase their offerings.
Among the new vehicles on display from land vehicle systems company FNSS were three new Pars variants: a 6x6 Scout; a Pars III 6x6; and a Pars III 8x8 vehicle.
The Scout vehicle has been referred to as a Special Purpose vehicle because it is part of the package that the company is proposing for the Turkish Army's Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) programme, which calls for an infantry reconnaissance vehicle (Scout), CBRN, C2 and a communications vehicle.
Up to 472 vehicles are expected under SPV and FNSS is up against Turkish rival Otokar in the competition.
According to a company spokesperson the Turkish procurement authority SSM, has requested that the 60 CBRN vehicle variants that will make up the total must be an 8x8 vehicle. Meanwhile the company was displaying the Pars 6x6 iZCi (Scout) vehicle at IDEF 2017 for the first time.
The Scout vehicle is 6.5m-long with a width of 3m and height under 2.5m. It has a 22-30hp/ton power-to-weight ratio using a diesel engine and automatic transmission that offers a maximum road speed of 100km/h and a range of 600km.
Scout is amphibious with a swimming speed of 8km/h and a deep wading capability of 100cm. The vehicle can be transported by the A400M aircraft.
The spokesperson said that one of the key difference between this vehicle and the earlier Pars 6x6 CBRN variant, which was first displayed at IDEF 2015 and is at the show again this year, is that the two-man cab at the front of the vehicle is protected by ballistic glass and offers a wider 230° field of vision.
Furthermore he added that it has a plain flat surface that allows for easy upgrades to the armour capability because the curves on the chassis in the similar CBRN vehicle mean that a higher level of armour cannot be added.
The Scout vehicle on display at the show is fitted with a Sarp remote weapons station from Aselsan.
Also seen for the first time is the Pars III 6x6 that is fitted with a Saber-25 one-man turret that has been built by FNSS and was launched at IDEX in 2015.
The Pars III 6x6 is slightly heavier than the earlier Pars 6x6 variant at 25t compared to 23t and slightly bigger dimensions at 7m-long, 2.9m wide but with the same 2.4m height. The two-man front cabin has ballistic windows offering a 180° field of view and a capacity for six soldiers plus three crew.
Meanwhile the Pars III 8x8 offers the drivers the same field of view, but is larger and heavier. It weighs in at 30t and with dimesons at 8m-long and 3m-wide and a height of 2.4m it has space for nine dismounts and three crew. It was also fitted with FNSS' Saber-25 turret and is similar to the AV-8 Gempita developed for Malaysia although the amphibious capability is optional.
https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/idef-2017-pars-range-expands/
