Turkish firm preparing armored combat vehicle for export, Turkish Army use

ANKARA

Drawing on nearly 35 years of experience, Turkish firm FNSS is preparing to export its next-generation Pars Alpha eight-by-eight and six-by-six armored combat vehicle, which will also be used by the Turkish Armed Forces.

Kerem Kaplan, domestic programs director at FNSS, told Anadolu that the Pars family is a field-proven product, with experience gained in Malaysia, Oman, and Türkiye.

In February, Türkiye’s Defense Industry Agency (SSB), BMC, and FNSS signed a “Next Generation Vehicle Project.” Kaplan said that land vehicles play a key role in this initiative.

“The SSB conducted a four-year prototype competition and testing process, which Pars Alpha completed, and we signed with the SSB in February to deliver Pars Alpha vehicles with eight different configurations,” he said. “We plan to start deliveries in 2028.”

“The T0 phase of the deal has begun and we’re currently in the design review stage for the vehicle — although some of its features have been verified during the prototype competition, much more comprehensive tests await the vehicle,” he noted. “After that, a qualification process of around a year will begin and then we will plan our deliveries.”

Kaplan stated that Pars Alpha will be unveiled for testing in 2027, but the firm aims to accelerate its efforts to begin the process earlier, hoping to see the vehicle in the battlefield by 2028.

“Pars Alpha has its power unit at the front, allowing the driver, commander, and the rest of the crew to have a clear view and close coordination advantages inside the vehicle,” he said, noting that the front positioning will set the vehicle apart from previous generations and competitors, allowing for a “positive reputation in export projects over the years.”

“We can say the vehicle is highly popular, and we’re in talks with multiple countries and very close with one in particular — our vehicle is very close to achieving an export success, and we’re very excited for the day the Turkish Armed Forces will use it,” he added.