OTOKAR’S ARMORED UNMANNED VEHICLE ALPAR AND ARMA II ON INTERNATIONAL STAGE
Otokar, the global land systems manufacturer of Türkiye, will showcase seven vehicles and turret systems at Eurosatory 2024, the global event for defense and security from June 17-21 in Paris, France. Otokar’s armored medium unmanned ground vehicle ALPAR and multi wheeled armored land vehicle ARMA II, the new member of Otokar’s world-renowned ARMA family will make their global debut during the event. Otokar, a Koç Group company, continues to promote its land systems products and capabilities worldwide. Otokar is showcasing seven vehicles and turret systems at Eurosatory 2024, the global event for defense and security from June 17-21 in France. In the exhibition, which is expected to host more than 2,000 exhibitors from 62 countries, Otokar will hold the world debut of ALPAR, tracked and armored medium unmanned ground vehicle, and ARMA II, the new member of the ARMA family, which boasts a proven track record across diverse geographies with its mobility and survivability capabilities. Otokar will also showcase COBRA II,
ARMA 6×6, ARMA 8×8, TULPAR, and AKREP II at Eurosatory 2024. In addition, RABDAN 8×8 Armored Medical Evacuation Vehicle will be exhibited at the stand of Al Jasoor, Otokar’s joint venture company with EDGE Group. ARMA 8×8 with Korkut Turret will also be on display at Aselsan stand.
“WE ARE READY TO MEET EUROPE’S RISING DEMAND FOR LAND SYSTEMS”
Regarding the company’s presence at Eurosatory Aykut Özüner, Otokar’s General Manager said “Eurosatory has always been an important event for Otokar since the company introduced its armored vehicles to the world for the first time in the 1990s. And today we are very proud that Otokar is among the leading land systems manufacturers globally”. Talking about the goals Mr. Özüner continued: “With increasing defense industry spending due to global developments and threats, interest in defense and security exhibitions is also on the rise. Eurosatory, as Europe’s premier event for defense and security, provides us the opportunity to engage with our current and prospective clients from around the world. Our products, meeting NATO standards, combined with our quick response to needs, unique lead times, and excellent after-sales services, keep us ahead in the competitive global market. Otokar is ready to meet the rising demand for land systems in Europe efficiently and effectively with our advanced defense vehicles.” Özüner also highlighted recent company achievements: “With a strong product portfolio, favorable lead times, and outstanding after-sales services, we are now among the top choices for clients,
particularly in Eastern Europe. Last October, we secured a contract to supply 6×6 armored vehicles
to the Estonian Armed Forces. We are also prepared and eager to fulfill Romania’s upcoming 4×4
armored vehicle requirements.”
“OUR VEHICLES CONTINUE TO PROVE THEMSELVES IN COUNTLESS MISSIONS”
Sedef Vehbi, Military Cluster Head at Otokar, stated: “As a land systems supplier to NATO and the United Nations, Otokar manufactures vehicles deployed in diverse missions across various climates and terrains worldwide. Over 33,000 of our military vehicles are currently in service in more than 40 countries across five continents. These vehicles deliver high performance and security in the most critical missions, ranging from combat situations to peacekeeping operations. Our vehicles have consistently proven themselves in numerous missions globally. At Eurosatory, two of our new armored vehicles are making their world debut. We believe that ALPAR, designed for robotic and unmanned ground vehicle needs, and the ARMA II 8×8 armored vehicle, developed to address both asymmetric threats and traditional combat conditions, will set new benchmarks in the industry.” Vehbi added that Otokar not only supplies military vehicles but also develops solutions tailored to clients’ needs, “We closely monitor our clients’ requirements and current threats to provide optimal solutions for armed and security forces. Our competencies and capabilities enable us to offer options such as local production and technology transfer to meet our clients’ specific needs.”
STRONG, AGILE AND SMART WINGMAN IN COMBAT ZONES: ALPAR
Designed as a medium unmanned ground vehicle, ALPAR marks a first for the Turkish defense industry. ALPAR, developed by Otokar as an unmanned platform capable of undertaking missions together with manned and unmanned assets in the battlefield to meet the needs of the armed forces for robotic and unmanned ground vehicles, has a maximum combat weight of 15 tonnes. Equipped with autonomous systems and AI systems, the vehicle is designed to reduce personnel risk on the battlefield, improve the success of high threat missions, conducting routine tasks, by reducing the number of personnel in the field using AI and data analytics, and increase efficiency in the battlefield by communicating with unmanned aerial vehicles and other assets in the battlefield. ALPAR stands out with a low thermal footprint, dimensions and weight to be airlifted, and a fast-change battery infrastructure. Moreover, ALPAR increases its mission capability with a mini-unmanned ground vehicle that it can carry. With a modular design, ALPAR can be configured as a fire support vehicle, logistics support vehicle, air defense vehicle, and anti-tank vehicle suitable for missions such as advanced reconnaissance and surveillance. The vehicle, which features a serial hybrid electric drive system and runs in complete silence, can be operated autonomously with remote control. The vehicle is also equipped with Adaptive Drive Support Systems developed by Otokar.
POWERFUL SOLUTION TO ASYMMETRICAL THREATS: ARMA II
ARMA II 8×8 Armored Vehicle, the new member of the ARMA series developed by Otokar considering the conventional combat conditions as well as the most common asymmetrical threats today, is showcased at Eurosatory 2024 with a John Cockerill 105 mm turret. ARMA II offers best-in-class ballistic, mine and improvised explosive device (IED) protection and optimal terrain capability. With a maximum Gross Vehicle Weight of 40 tons, ARMA II comes with higher payload and improved protection, and can be configured for the integration of heavy weapon systems up to 120mm caliber. ARMA II is equipped with a 12.7-liter, 6-cylinder, turbodiesel, 720 HP engine. ARMA II offers a platform suitable for many different missions; from armored combat vehicle to armored personnel carrier; from command and control vehicles to air defense missions. With the extra interior volume provided by the expanded hull, ARMA II is the most superior vehicle in its class with the modularity to operate as a maintenance and repair vehicle or an ambulance.
NEXT-GENERATION ARMORED COMBAT VEHICLE: TULPAR
TULPAR, one of Otokar’s world-renowned armored vehicles that has garnered high interest in recent years, is exhibited at Eurosatory 2024 with a Leonardo 120 mm turret. TULPAR stands out with mobility, high firepower, and survivability features. TULPAR is designed as a multi-purpose tracked vehicle with variants ranging from 28,000kg to 45,000kg to fully satisfy the modern armies’ existing and future requirements. TULPAR comes in several variants including but not limited to Light/medium tank, Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Recovery Vehicle, Mortar Vehicle, Air Defence Weapon Carrier, Fire Support, Medical Evacuation having common subsystems. Tested in the toughest climates and on rough terrain conditions, TULPAR boosts high ballistic and mine protection with modular armor. In addition to its high fire and destruction power, with its high mobility TULPAR, can serve in all kinds of combat environments from urban, built-up areas and light bridges to woodlands and all terrains, especially soft surfaces where main battle tanks are unable to operate due to their heavy weights.
A MODULAR POWERHOUSE ADAPTABLE TO DIFFERENT MISSIONS: COBRA II
COBRA II 4×4 tactical wheeled armored vehicle, serving in active missions in more than 15 countries worldwide, offers high level of protection, payload, and large interior volume. In addition to its superior mobility, COBRA II offers high protection against ballistic, mine, and IED threats. With high power to weight ratio COBRA II delivers high performance. The vehicle is operated by many armies in different parts of the world, on toughest terrain and climate conditions. Being suitable for the integration of wide range of weapon and mission equipment options, COBRA II is successfully in service for border protection as well as internal security and peacekeeping missions in different users. The modular structure of COBRA II also makes the vehicle a flexible platform to be used as a personnel carrier, anti-tank weapons platform, Reconnaissance & Surveillance, CBRN reconnaissance vehicle, command control vehicle, recovery and medical evacuation. Otokar exhibits COBRA II with Keskin 12.7 mm RCWS at Europe’s largest defense and
security fair.
THE STEALTHY EYES ON THE BATTLEFIELD: AKREP II
AKREP II, featuring a low silhouette, agility and terrain capability, is exhibited at Eurosatory with a John Cockerill 90 mm turret system. AKREP II, built on Otokar’s initial AKREP developed in 1990s, is designed as an armored reconnaissance and surveillance vehicle and a large caliber weapon platform. Combining high firepower and survivability in a low silhouette, the AKREP II meets the current and future needs of modern armies by accommodating turrets up to 90mm cannon. The four-wheel drive system and steerable rear axle of AKREP II greatly enhances the maneuverability capability of the vehicle. The vehicle has a superior mobility and handling capabilities in all terrain conditions no matter mud, snow or puddles. Its compact design, high level of both kinetic and mine protection, and the U-type power package placed at the rear of the vehicle make AKREP II a very special and competitive platform especially where the maneuverability is crowned with crab steering. As a multi-role vehicle suitable for different types of missions, AKREP II provides effective firepower without compromising survivability as it can accommodate up to 90 mm caliber turrets. AKREP II can also be configured for the missions like surveillance, reconnaissance, air defense, forward observer, etc.
MODULAR MULTI-WHEELED ARMORED VEHICLE: ARMA
ARMA, Otokar’s multi-wheeled modular armored vehicle with high tactical and technical capabilities, is exhibited in two different models. ARMA, featuring superior mobility, high mine and ballistic protection, offers medium and high caliber weapons system integration options to serve in peacekeeping and humanitarian missions in the most challenging terrain and climate conditions. ARMA, which is also available with an amphibious kit, impresses with its high combat payload and spacious interiors. ARMA family, which can be equipped with different weapon and turret systems in response to different requirements, can be adapted to diverse missions with variants such as armored personnel carrier, armored combat vehicle, command control, and CBRN reconnaissance vehicle. ARMA 6×6 is exhibited with Mızrak 25 mm Turret and ARMA 8×8 with Mızrak 30 mm Turret at the Otokar booth at Eurosatory 2024.
Image courtesy Otokar