Developed by FNSS and equipped with a variety of ‘First in Its Class’ attributes, the PARS 6x6 Mine Protected WAV prepares to enter service in the coming year.

Commenting on the development, President of the Defence Industry (SSB), Prof. Dr. İsmail DEMİR stated: “We will deliver our PARS 6X6 Mine Protected Vehicle (MKKA) with ‘First in Class’ characteristics to the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in ‘21. We continue on our path to overcome all kinds of restrictions and hurdles, through local production.”

The initial assembly of the PARS 6X6 MKKA developed in line with the requirements of Turkish Armed Forces under the Defence Industry Presidency has been started in July.

The introductory meeting of the Pars 6x6 Mine Protected Vehicle Programme, where FNSS Savunma Sistemleri Inc. is the main contractor was held at the Ankara facilities of the company with the attendance of the President of Defence Industry Prof. Dr. İsmail DEMİR, representatives of the Ministry of National Defence (MoND), the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the General Directorate of Security, as well as those of the local defence sector.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof. DEMİR emphasized that designed with the latest generation high protection capabilities for safe deployment of the troops on land, the built-in remote-control weapon system of the 6x6 PARS Vehicle will provide for the necessary elimination of the threat both in urban areas as well as in the field.

Expressing that the platform will be able operate in all kinds of terrain with its 6x6 mobility, Prof. DEMİR said; “Following the qualification tests to be completed by the end of the year, all the vehicles are expected to enter service in ‘21. This vehicle, with a number of ‘First in Class’ characteristics also has a high export potential. I sincerely hope that this highly capable vehicle will be of great benefit to our security services and the TAF. We will start with the delivery of 12 PARS 6x6 platforms. We hope to continue with further deliveries”.

Continuing his remarks, Prof DEMİR stated: “We have been observing increasing efforts towards restrictions and embargoes of sorts over the recent years. Our local company developing this vehicle continued its efforts by overcoming those hurdles through localization solutions. We would like to extend our deep appreciation to all those local companies and the associated supply chain, who have dedicated their efforts to the localization process in spite of the hurdles, thus taking the National Technology Initiative to the next level. We are determined to continue on our path, where every new restriction, serves as an inspiration to further deepen our efforts.”

General Manager and CEO of FNSS Savunma Sistemleri Inc., Nail KURT, drew attention to the fact that the vehicles to be produced under the PARS 6x6 MKKA Program have  reached the initial assembly stage in as short a time as 15 months following effectivitiy.

CEO KURT emphasized that the platforms have been designed with capabilities over and above those already in service and that he believed that once in service they will radically further strengthen the Turkish Armed Forces, especially as a result of their state-of-the-art survivability.

Under the program, successful industrial cooperation realized with local companies and institutions, primarily ASELSAN Inc and TÜBİTAK, the Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Institute, will continue during the support period following deliveries. The Program takes on further importance in terms of presently meeting the technical and tactical requirements of the Turkish Armed Forces and those of the armies of the world for new generation vehicles planned for procurement towards the future and the implementation of contemporary Integrated Logistic Support (ILS) approaches.