via Shepard Media
Turkey expects to equip its army with new Kaplan-10 and PARS 4x4 anti-tank vehicles by 2022, as it moves to improve the mobility and the lethality of its ground forces.
These platforms were procured in June 2016 under a contract with manufacturer FNSS that includes 260 vehicles (184 Kaplan-10s and 76 PARS 4x4s), as well as their turrets.
The Turkish Land Forces Command announced via Twitter that mass production of Kaplan-10 began in late March. FNSS confirmed to Shephard that a total of eight vehicles have already been handed over to the Turkish Land Forces.
‘All tracked and wheeled platforms and turret systems are expected to be included in the inventory of Turkish Armed Forces by 2022,’ an FNSS spokesperson said, although the company could not provide information on the total investment cost of these procurements.
The spokesperson explained that the Kaplan-10 is a new-generation AFV that has the ability to operate in conjunction with MBTs. Its platform design enables it to perform different kinds of missions by integrating different subsystems.
The Kaplan-10 has a low silhouette and is designed to travel at high speed on asphalt, soft soil, muddy and rough terrains under all weather conditions, according to FNSS. Additionally, its advanced suspension track system can reduce vibrations and improve road holding.
Amphibious characteristics include two water propulsion systems located at the rear of the vehicle. Thanks to these, the FNSS spokesperson noted: 'Kaplan-10 can perform in deep and fast-flowing waters. In addition to this, the driver is able to enter the water without prior preparation.'
Safety features include a CBRN protection system, automatic fire extinguishing system, blast- and leakage- protected fuel cells, mine blast-protected seats and smoke grenade dischargers.
The Kaplan-10 has advanced modular armour protection and its hull is manufactured and integrated using a ballistic welding technique, according to FNSS.
‘There are also laser-protected glass periscopes that allow the driver to see outside with a wide-angle of view, providing a high situational awareness. Integrated night vision systems are standard in all variants,’ the spokesperson added.
The main armament on the AFV is a remote-controlled anti-tank missile (the Russian KORNET-E or Turkish-made MIZRAK-O).
PARS is a wheeled, amphibious and all-terrain 4x4 vehicle designed to perform advanced surveillance, anti-tank and command control tasks, with an operational range of 700km on asphalt roads.
It carries a crew of four and can operate in up to 1.7m of water without any preparation. According to FNSS, two propellers located behind the vehicle increase its manoeuvrability in the water.
In addition, PARS can climb a 70° gradient steep slope, hold on a 40° side slope and cross 40cm steep obstacles. A central tyre inflation system was also developed for PARS that increased its mobility. The vehicle can reach a top speed of 110km/h.
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