Leading Turkish and largest privately owned tactical vehicles manufacturer Otokar has been awarded a $63.2 million contract for its new 6×6 tactical armoured vehicle ARMA. Deliveries are scheduled for 2012 and Otokar will provide spare parts and training under the contract requirements.
“This award is the second export contract for ARMA 6×6 in its first year”, says Serdar Gorguc, Otokar’s General Manager. “As the leading designer and exporter of armoured vehicles in Turkey, we continue to grow in the defence industry, with local and international orders. Representing the Turkish defence industry in the world arena with our well-known armoured vehicles, we continue to execute contracts abroad. We are proud to sign the second contract, even though it has only been twelve months since we introduced the ARMA. This award demonstrates that ARMA is the next generation answer and ideal concept and design for upcoming threats and the expectations of modern armed forces. This second contract, which was signed soon after the presentation of the vehicle to users, is a strong indicator that ARMA will be one of the flagships of Otokar’s product range.”
ARMA is the newest product family within Otokar’s tactical wheeled armoured vehicle range with modular multi-wheel configuration. ARMA provides superior tactical and technical features with an outstanding cost among competitive products. Thanks to the high level of ballistic and mine protection as well as, the outstanding design allowing the integration of various types of mission equipments, ARMA is an adaptable platform for evolving mission needs in a modern battlefield.
About ARMA 6×6
The 6.4m long, 2.7 mwide and 2.2m high ARMA 6×6 variant has a 19t combat weight and carries a driver, commander and eight dismounts in its fully NBC protected hull. The vehicle is C-130 air transportable in standard configuration.
ARMA’s front two axles are steerable, enabling it to make a turning radius of 7.85m. The vehicle rides on independent hydro-pneumatic suspension, offering respectable off-road mobility. Tyre run-flat capability and central inflation system is supplied as standard. The vehicle can negotiate 45-degree approach and departure angles leading onto 60% inclines and 30% side-slopes. It can also cross 1.2m wide trenches and climb over 60cm obstacles.
A 450hp water-cooled turbo diesel capable of running on F-34 or F-54 fuel drives the wheels through an automatic gearbox and single-speed transfer box, giving it a top speed of 105km/h and a power/weight ratio of 24.3hp/t.
This also powers the onboard 24V DC electrical system, which incorporates two maintenance-free 125Ah batteries and a 3.3kW converter.
The engine is located at the right front of the vehicle, allowing a comparably high internal volume to be efficiently and ergonomically used. With this internal layout, all the personnel, especially the commander, can maintain eye contact with each other consistently.
ARMA 6×6 can be driven in 6×6 or 6×4 modes, depending upon the terrain conditions. The vehicle is amphibious and driven by two hydraulically driven propellors in water, allowing a high sea-going performance with a pivot turn capability. ARMA’s ballistic and anti-mine protection is provided by a high-hardness monocoque steel hull and anti-mine seats.
ARMA vehicle’s development started in 2007 as a company funded development project for home and export markets. Development studies from concept design till the end of test phases including qualification and validation processes, detailed design, computer aided engineering studies, are performed by Otokar.