Inside the Pars 6x6 RCB reconnaissance machine
Turkey's ambitious plans to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and create an independent defense industry appear to be on track
The intention of a number of countries to modernize their armed forces, create local industrial capacities and obtain new and modernized weapons requires a fair amount of effort.
The costs of creating an entire industry, gaining design and manufacturing experience and further accumulating military knowledge about how to properly use new weapons and technologies are prohibitively high and, in addition, this process can take several decades.
The leaders of many countries seek to reduce their dependence on Western or Russian weapons and spend as much money allocated for defense as possible domestically, but the success here is often quite average, despite huge wasted funds. However, there are several successful examples - China, UAE and Brazil, which are successful for various reasons.
But Turkey stands out among such countries. Beginning in the mid-1980s, it tirelessly attracted advanced technologies to the country and, as a result, by 2011, had reached the fact that 54% of military products were produced domestically. But the main point is that Ankara is willing to spend funds on weapons procurement programs that will ensure the development of technology, support the business and prevent it from withering away. According to current plans, defense spending by 2023 will amount to $ 70 billion.
The new Arma 8x8 version of the RCB reconnaissance participates in the competition for the Turkish Special Purpose Vehicle
Ground sector
In the ground sector, the main focus is on vehicles, where the Turkish army is implementing ambitious projects in order to become self-sufficient in the field of armored mobility. This concerns the development of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers and specialized vehicles, where there is healthy competition between the two main local manufacturers: FNSS and Otokar.
The most difficult task is considered to be the development of a new main battle tank (MBT), but the country coped with this task. The Otokar company has developed the final version of the Altay tank prototype, the qualification tests of which are in the final stage. A fully functional prototype known as PV2 was shown at the last IDEF in Istanbul; this is one of two (the second is designated PV1) machines manufactured at the end of 2014.
Previously, the first two prototypes were made, but they were used for preliminary running and firing tests that took place at the ereflikoсhisar test site. The head of tank systems at Otokar, Oguz Kibaroglu, said that under the program of the Turkish army and the Defense Procurement Administration (SSM), PV1 will undergo running and life tests, and the PV2 prototype will undergo fire qualification tests.
Turkish MBT Altay at IDEF
SSM selected Otokar as a contractor for the development of the Altay tank in March 2007, and in July 2008 awarded a $ 500 million contract for Phase I design, development, testing and qualification. According to SSM, Phase I, which began in January 2009 and lasted 18 months, consisted of three phases, during which analysis and preliminary design were carried out.
He added that at Phase II, which ended at the end of November, detailed design and manufacture of the first two experimental mobile stands for sea and fire tests were carried out. The development of these two machines ended with the production of the PV1 and PV2 prototypes.
The program is currently in Phase III. A company spokesman said that after construction, these two vehicles “are currently undergoing comprehensive qualification tests with the participation of the Turkish army. In accordance with the contract for serial production, the first batch of serial vehicles will consist of 250 tanks, and production is expected to begin in 2018."
Replacing MBT
At first, the Altay MBT will replace the current M48 and M60 tanks that have not undergone modernization, then the modernized M60 will be replaced and, ultimately, it will replace the Leopard A4 tanks purchased from Germany.
The main armament is a 120-mm L55 smoothbore cannon for manual loading, manufactured by the local company MKEK, Aselsan will supply a fire control system (FCS) and a battle control system, and Roketsan will supply a reservation kit.
The Aselsan LMS, which includes laser rangefinders and day / night sights of the gunner and commander, offers shock search capabilities and provides a high probability of hitting the first shot.
The tank is equipped with a laser warning system, a battle control system, a friend or foe recognition system and a 360 ° all-angle view system, which includes the driver's front and rear cameras. The tank also has 16 smoke grenade launchers.
The Altay tank is equipped with a 1500 hp Euro V12 power unit, a transmission with five forward and three reverse gears, and a cooling system. This power unit allows you to reach speeds of up to 65 km / h.
The crew of the tank is four people, and the remotely controlled combat module (DBM) on the turret roof can accept either a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun. The DUBM also has a laser rangefinder and day / night sights.
The components for increasing survivability include a set of passive armor on the hull and turret, additional compositional armor and dynamic protection units for protection against cumulative and armor-piercing threats. There is also mine protection, a life support system, an auxiliary power unit and a laser warning system.
Combat vehicles
Another major program for the development of a ground vehicle was designated WCV (Weapon Carrying Vehicle). It is also known as the TWAWC (Tactical Wheeled Armored Weapon Carrier) project or the Anti-Tank program.
According to SSM, there is a need for 184 tracked and 76 wheeled vehicles, for a total of 260 platforms. This is significantly less than it was originally expected to be obtained under the original TWAWC project, which provided for the purchase of 1,075 vehicles.
Two applicants for this program are FNSS and Otokar, and both have submitted their projects for consideration. In its role as a tank destroyer, the vehicle must carry anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) on board, and the SSM reportedly has already selected the Russian Kornet-E complex and the Turkish Mizrak-O from Roketsan for installation on the vehicle, although the management has not confirmed this. The Mizrak-O is a medium-range ATGM with an infrared seeker with a tandem warhead and a range of 4 km.
At IDEF 2015, Otokar showed a new version of the tracked armored vehicle from its Tulpar family, called the Tulpar-S. It was equipped with a new DBM from the Aselsan company, armed with four Kornet ATGMs and a machine gun.
Otokar's new Tulpar-S platform
The Tulpar-S has a width of 2.9 meters, a length of 5.7 meters and a booking level corresponding to STANAG Level 4. The vehicle, available in different versions, including infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers, can accept various weapons systems. The machine is equipped with a 375 hp engine.allowing to reach speeds of up to 70 km / h. Also installed a system of protection against weapons of mass destruction, energy-absorbing seats, as well as thermal imaging and television cameras for the driver.
Pars 4x4 at IDEF 2015. FNSS offers this platform as a base for the Weapon Carrying Vehicle program
Wheels and tracks
FNSS has applied for two systems: a wheeled anti-tank missile system (ATGM) and a tracked ATGM. The company says it is developing performance characteristics and a feasibility study for both options. Both platforms are developed from scratch, both tracked and wheeled 4x4.
The wheeled challenger is an experimental 4x4 configuration from the Pars 6x6 and 8x8 family; it was first shown at IDEF in 2015. In the Turkish armed forces, the floating armored car will serve in several versions: anti-tank installation, operational control and reconnaissance.
At this show, an FNSS spokesman said that operational tests will take place in 2016. The presented car, which can accommodate 5 people, was in the operational control version with an Aselsan SARP DBM installed with a 12, 7-mm machine gun.
The Pars 4x4 armored car has a length of about 5 meters, a width of 2.5 meters and a height of 1.9 meters on the roof of the hull. It is equipped with thermal and daytime cameras with a wide field of view, which significantly increase the level of knowledge of the situation during the day and at night.
The vehicle is also available in the ATGM version, which will meet the requirements of the WCV project, providing for the installation of a DBM and ATGM. As a tactical vehicle, it can be equipped with a manned turret with a 7, 62 mm, 12, 7 mm machine gun or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher.
Four-wheel drive 4x4 can switch to 4x2 mode for road travel, where the car can reach speeds of up to 120 km / h; it overcomes water obstacles without preparation, developing a speed of 8 km / h on the water using two propellers.
The company representative also added that most of the subsystems can be changed depending on the requirements put forward.
The details of the WCV project were published in 2014, and in December of that year, Otokar and FNSS submitted their responses to a request for information. The WCV project was supposed to be approved at the end of 2015, but according to unconfirmed reports, the implementation of the program for the new wheeled vehicle has been entrusted to FNSS, with which the terms of the contract are currently being negotiated. It is worth noting that applications for either the tracked version from FNSS, or the wheeled version from Otokar as part of the WCV project have not been published.
Special tasks
In addition to the WCV program, another major project is being implemented in Turkey to develop a specialized vehicle SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle). The SSM confirmed that there is still a need for 428 tactical wheeled vehicles, which can be divided into 121 command vehicles, 217 observation vehicles, 30 radars and 60 RCB reconnaissance vehicles.
However, at the beginning of 2015, it was about 472 vehicles, since then it was supposed to purchase not 30, but 74 mobile radars. The sanitary version was also in the previous plans, but, most likely, it was not destined to appear in the world.
The SSM spokesman, when asked about any progress on this program, said that "while the evaluation process is underway." Machines delivered in accordance with the above needs are expected to be 6x6 and 8x8, and here FNSS and Otokar will cross swords for the second time with their proposals.
It can be noted that 60 WMD reconnaissance vehicles out of a total of 428 pieces may seem too high a figure, but this, most likely, is due to a chemical attack carried out in the suburbs of Damascus in 2013 (a lot is unclear here, the parties blame each other). The requirement for the SPV project appeared back in 2010-2011, but it really began to be implemented only in the second half of 2014. The decision on the program is expected not earlier than the end of 2016, and maybe even later.
RCB reconnaissance vehicle
The FNSS company has developed a new version of the RCB reconnaissance of its Pars 6x6 armored vehicle specifically for such tasks. It was first shown at the IDEX exhibition held in Abu Dhabi in early 2016. Then the company said that this is the first WMD (weapons of mass destruction) reconnaissance vehicle designed and manufactured in Turkey, and that 60 vehicles will be produced under the SPV program.
Pars 6x6 vehicle in the RCB reconnaissance version
Development is still ongoing, before a full-scale production contract is issued, a number of pre-production contracts are expected to manufacture and fine-tune more prototype vehicles for testing. Let's take a closer look at this machine.
An RCB reconnaissance or WMD reconnaissance vehicle has the capability to detect and identify toxic warfare agents and toxic industrial substances (including the ability to remotely detect), determine radiation, and detect and identify biological substances.
The system of collective protection against weapons of mass destruction, installed in the PARS 6x6, creates an overpressure inside, and also has respirators with forced air supply. The collective protection system complies with the NATO AEP-54 standard.
The vehicle is also equipped with a stabilized remotely controlled weapon station, in which, according to customer requirements, a 40-mm automatic grenade launcher, 12, 7-mm or 7, 62-mm machine gun can be installed.
The vehicle houses a four-person reconnaissance team, including the driver, vehicle / group commander and two chemical operators. The PARS 6x6 has been fitted with an additional seat to improve operational capabilities and crew responsiveness, particularly in the collection and processing of biological and chemical samples for further analysis. The OMP reconnaissance vehicle from the FNSS company can also be based on the PARS 8x8 vehicle, in which, if necessary, it is possible to place an enlarged group and more equipment.
Chemical detection and identification: The PARS 6x6 is equipped with three chemical intelligence units to continuously monitor the presence of chemical and toxic materials inside and outside the vehicle. An additional device is also installed, which is used to further identify solid and liquid samples in the glove box of the machine. If necessary, this device can also be removed from the vehicle for dismounted operations.
The machine is equipped with a remote sensing device, it uses laser technology and can detect the composition of substances at a distance of up to 5 km. The PARS 6x6 is also equipped with a gas chromatograph and a mass spectrometer for additional detailed chemical analysis of a set of samples. These devices are available for dismounted operations if required.
Biological Detection and Identification: The PARS 6x6 WMD Reconnaissance Vehicle can conduct continuous scouting for biological substances. When a potential biological substance is detected, an auxiliary sample is taken for additional analysis, and sampling and analysis are performed inside an integrated glove box, which is designed to ensure operator safety. Thanks to the built-in design of the glove box, several soil samples can be placed in it at once by means of a sampling device for further analysis and identification.
Radiological and nuclear detection: In order to warn the crew about the direction and level of any radiation hazard, gamma-ray detectors are installed inside the vehicle. The PARS 6x6 vehicle is also equipped with an internal radiation detector and personal crew dosimeters for personnel protection and dose rate monitoring.
Manual sampling and marking of the contaminated area: The PARS 6x6 has an onboard sampling system that continuously detects in motion and provides additional sample analyzes. Soil samples can be taken safely by the operator from the inside of the machine and stored outside the machine until further transport and laboratory analysis.
The integrated zone marking system found on the PARS 6x6 reconnaissance vehicle allows the operator to mark any identified infested area without leaving the vehicle. NATO standard marking flags are installed from the vehicle using an interlocking delivery system that maintains overpressure and crew safety at all times.
Central processing unit and specialized software: The weapons detection devices integrated into the PARS 6x6 vehicle operate on the WMD warning program, which provides the crew with timely warning signals and information about any potential WMD threat. The information is collected, processed together with the data received from the meteorological sensor and the GPS station, and transmitted through the onboard communication system in the ATP 45 format.
Otokar's response
In response to the machinations of its competitor, a couple of months later at IDEF 2015, Otokar showed its own Arma CBRN WMD reconnaissance vehicle.
A spokesman for Otokar said that a modified version of the Arma 8x8 was developed to meet the requirements of the Turkish army, which described the vehicle as "floating, equipped with a set of sensors for chemical and radiation reconnaissance, capable of remote detection and automatic sampling."
The company said that its SPV CBRN variant is also the first vehicle of its kind developed by the local industry (having gained experience in the production of the Cobra 4x4 variant for Slovenia in 2008, the company created its Arma 6x6 reconnaissance vehicle in 2011).
The prototype in a wheeled configuration of 8x8 has a crew of six people, it has a remote detection system with an infrared detector on a retractable manipulator arm with a long reach. A sampling wheel and a filtration system are installed at the rear of the machine.
A Keskin DBM was installed on the roof of the presented sample for self-protection, and a meteorological sensor was installed on the roof, which not only measures the wind speed, but can predict the spread of pollution at different time intervals. There is also a manual marking system in the stern, with which you can place various indicators, such as flags, to indicate routes and warn other units.
Otokar announced the development of its own RCB intelligence software, which will be integrated with various sensors and sensors. The communication equipment in the car complies with the ATP 45 standards, respectively, this allows you to exchange information with other NATO platforms.
Turkey has a need for detectors of various radiation (alpha, beta, gamma, neutron), and similar opportunities are provided by different sets of equipment, since a single detector does not yet exist.
Unfortunately, the required functionality is not disclosed, so it is not yet clear how the Turkish army wants to use these machines (for example, the number of units equipped with HAPSITE chemical analysis systems), and, therefore, it is impossible to determine the composition of the equipment kits.
Chemical analysis device HAPSITE
The winning company under the contract will provide a training package for the supplied set of equipment, but again, how the army will use these vehicles has not yet been determined.
Since there are several ways to conduct RCB reconnaissance, it is quite possible that the army will acquire both vehicles and, over time, will determine its preferred standard methods of work as part of the development of the concept of combat use.
Equally
And finally, another program in which the companies FNSS and Otokar fight directly with each other. This is an amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) amphibious assault vehicle. The SSM reported that the request for proposals was published in March 2014 and today there is a need for 23 armored personnel carriers, two command vehicles and two recovery vehicles.
FNSS says it has extensive experience in this area and is therefore capable of designing and manufacturing vehicles that can safely transport Turkish marines from landing craft docks to shore and to enemy targets on the coast.
The company says that "the submitted application for the competition, which is expected to be completed by July 2016, is based on the original platform."
As for other programs, Turkey has purchased 617 Kirpi mine-protected vehicles from local BMC since 2013, when the project was revived. In addition, the company received a contract in October 2014 for 60 vehicles for delivery to the special forces of the Turkish Internal Security Directorate. At IDEF 2015, BMC showed its Vuran 4x4 multipurpose vehicle for this program. The production of these machines is in full swing, deliveries began in mid-2015.
The Vuran armored vehicle is equipped with a six-liter Cummins turbodiesel engine that can run on F34 fuel. The vehicle has a V-shaped hull, embrasures for firing along the sides, a ventilation system and an emergency hatch. Self-supporting cab with energy absorbing seats and mine / ballistic protection. The transmission is automatic with six forward and one reverse gears with high and low speed control.
Vuran 4x4 at IDEF 2015
With the aim of increasing cross-country ability on all types of terrain, the Vuran also has independent coil springs and telescopic shock absorbers, anti-lock brakes, power steering and 395/85 R20 wheels.
The Vuran machine is equipped with a centralized tire pressure control system, anti-ballistic inserts in the wheels and a machine gun in the cockpit. It is equipped with a GPS system, a rear view camera, an automatic fire extinguishing system and blackout lighting equipment. The car can climb a 30 ° slide, water obstacles up to 80 cm deep, the cruising range is 600 km.
The original Tulpar vehicle (pictured with the turret) was created as a base for a family of armored vehicles for various purposes.
Multipurpose platform
The original Otokar Tulpar vehicle, first shown at IDEF 2013, is a multi-purpose platform weighing from 25 to 45 tons, which can have many options: armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, ambulance, 105-mm anti-tank gun, mortar carrier, maintenance, evacuation, engineering, multiple launch rocket system, anti-aircraft and reconnaissance.
The modernized version weighing 32 tons, presented at the IDEF 2015 exhibition, had a length of 7.23 meters, a width of 3.45 meters, it was equipped with a medium-caliber Mizrak-30 DBM with a 30-mm automatic cannon with selective power and 210 rounds of ammunition.
Operational testing of the Tulpar has been completed and Otokar is currently testing several configurations of this platform with different weights, which will have different suspension systems. The platform also features a new MTU 8V199 turbocharged diesel engine with 720 hp. and the Renk HSWL 106 hydromechanical transmission, which replaced the previous Scania engine and the Sapa manual transmission. The machine is also equipped with HA35-15000 final drives manufactured by Turkish Otokar.
Like the Tulpar-S, the vehicle is equipped with a standard system of protection against weapons of mass destruction, driver's night / day cameras installed in front and behind, there are also seats for installing two ATGMs and a weapon system. The crew of the car is three people, the landing is nine people; onboard there are programmable radio stations, an intercom system, an inertial navigation system and GPS, it is also possible to install an optional combat control system.
More variety
In the field of artillery and air defense, the situation is very diverse, with a high proportion of foreign participants. The South Korean company Samsung Techwin was selected to help develop the 155-mm Firtina self-propelled howitzer for the Turkish army, but it is not clear what modifications are being made at this stage, who is going to make the corresponding transport-loading vehicles and how many are needed. SSM reports that "it is still under evaluation." There are also plans to acquire 105-mm towed guns, but the progress here is rather slow.
The SPAAG (self-propelled anti-aircraft gun) anti-aircraft gun should be developed under the Korkut program, but the SSM cannot provide information on its condition. But, according to some sources, operational tests of the installation are underway, and military tests are scheduled for 2016.
Anti-aircraft self-propelled gun Korkut
SSM confirms that the T-LALADMIS (Low Altitude Air Defense Missile System) program is in the design and development phase. The program has now received the designation HISAR-A, for which the Office has signed a contract with Aselsan to manufacture the system with Roketsan as the main subcontractor.
"Development and testing of subsystems is underway." The development phase includes two stages: development and qualification; and serial production. According to SSM, the first firing tests of two prototypes were carried out in October 2013 at the Aksaray test site.
The system is based on the FNSS ACV-30 tracked chassis, and Aselsan is responsible for subsystems and their integration, the supply of radar and optoelectronics, as well as the development of fire control and operational control systems.
As part of the program for the T-MALADMIS (Medium Altitude Air Defense Missile System) medium-altitude anti-aircraft missile system, Turkey purchased 70 Atilgan systems and 88 Zipkin complexes.
Anti-aircraft missile systems Atilgan and Zipkin (left)
More range
However, to meet its needs for a long-range complex (T-LORAMIDS program), Turkey chose the joint production of the FD-2000 complex. The Chinese corporation China Precision Import and Export Corporation (CPMIEC) won the competition for the American Patriot complex manufactured by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, the French-Italian Eurosam Aster 30 SAMP-T complex, and the Russian S-400. But under pressure from NATO partners, Turkey abandoned the Chinese complex in November 2015 and announced that it would develop such a system on its own.
Turkey is also successfully developing its own small arms. SSM announced the Modern Infantry Rifle (MPT-76) program, which began in March 2007; local companies MKEK and Kalekalip were awarded the contract.
Rifle MPT-76
After 40 qualification tests, the first batch of 200 MPT-76 rifles was delivered to the Turkish army in May 2014. SSM confirmed that, in accordance with the serial production stage, two separate contracts were signed with MKEK and Kalekalip, for 20,000 and 15,000 rifles, respectively.
