Turkish Armed Forces Receive 3 More PARS IV 6×6 MRAPs From FNSS
The “PARS IV 6×6 Special Operations Vehicles” were delivered to the Turkish Land Forces Command at a ceremony held at the company’s facilities in Ankara, Gölbaşı, as part of the “6×6 Mine Protected Vehicle (MRAP) Procurement Project” signed between the Turkish Defense Industry Presidency (SSB) and FNSS. Three PARS IV 6×6 MRAPs in different configurations were delivered at the ceremony, which was attended by Turkish Defense Industry President Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir, Vice President of Defense Industries Dr. Celal Sami Tüfekçi, and FNSS General Manager Nail Kurt. Previously, 9 vehicles were delivered within the scope of the project, which began in 2019. The last delivery brought the total number of PARS IV 6×6 MRAPs in use to 12.
Turkish Defense Industry President İsmail Demir stated during his speech at the ceremony that the PARS vehicles were designed with the highest mine, IED, and ballistic protection to date in order to provide their security forces with the ability to move under high armor protection. “We are proud that we have a defense industry that designs, develops, and manufactures such a vehicle,” Demir said, claiming that the vehicle is unique in the world due to its other technical features. Near the end of his speech, Turkey’s defense industry chief stated that the country will continue to develop not only conventional warfare vehicles, but also new generation, technological vehicles capable of meeting a variety of needs.
FNSS General Manager and CEO K. Nail Kurt shared technical information about the vehicle during his speech at the ceremony. He also emphasized that the delivery of the PARS IV 6×6 vehicle marked the first time that a new generation combat vehicle in the 6×6 class entered the Turkish Armed Forces inventory. The ceremony concluded with a demonstration on the test track by three of the PARS IV 6×6 vehicles.
FNSS designed the PARS IV 6×6 Special Operations Vehicle to meet the tactical and operational needs of security forces. The Special Operations Vehicle was designed to be used in both symmetrical and asymmetrical combat environments, and it has been optimized for various mission requirements. According to FNSS, the vehicle can operate in all weather and terrain conditions, day and night, including cross-country and urban areas, and offers enhanced ballistic protection against Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), anti-tank mines, and enemy fire with modular armor infrastructure. The platform can also be outfitted with an IED armor kit. Lightweight RPG net protection against hollow-charge warheads such as rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and anti-tank missiles can be added to the passive protection layer.
On the front and rear of the vehicle, there are two SANCAK Remote Weapon Station (RWS) systems developed by FNSS. These turrets are compatible with three weapon types: 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns, and 40 mm grenade launchers. For simultaneous threats from any direction or from high points, the use of two turrets provides surveillance and twice the firepower. The PARS IV 6×6 has a maximum weight of 26,000kg, a 7 forward, 2 reverse gear transmission, and a diesel engine. With its height-adjustable independent suspension, the vehicle, which can reach speeds of 100 km/h, can move on 60% vertical and 30% side slopes and cross 70 cm high obstacles and 175 cm long trenches.