ANKARA, Turkey - The contract for the Armoured Amphibious Assault Vehicle (ZAHA) Project was signed between SSM and FNSS on March 7, 2017 in Ankara. Program was initiated by the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) to meet the amphibious armored vehicle requirement of the Turkish Naval Forces Command.

In addition to enabling the safe landing of units during landing operations, armored amphibious assault vehicles also serve as armored combat vehicles or armored personnel carriers after reaching shore. During the landing phase of an operation, these vehicles are launched from landing helicopter dock (LHD) approaching the coast, and rapidly cover the several kilometers distance in between, allowing units to land with minimum delay. Once on land, they can continue taking part in operations side by side with other armored vehicles. As vehicles that have a dual nature due to their mission requirements, armored amphibious assault vehicles need to exhibit superior performance both at sea and on land. Only a few countries around the world have such vehicles in their inventories. Among NATO countries and allies, only a single company other than FNSS produces vehicles of this class.

Under the contract signed between SSM and FNSS, the vehicles will be developed and produced by FNSS based on an indigenous development model.

FNSS will deliver a total of 27 vehicles, including 23 personnel carriers, 2 command and control vehicles and 2 recovery vehicles. The technical characteristics of the Armoured Amphibious Assault Vehicles were determined by taking into consideration the operational concept and mission requirements defined by the Turkish Naval Forces Command.

Compared to similar examples, these vehicles are expected to be superior in the following respects:

-- Number of personnel transported by the vehicle,

-- Level of ballistic and mine protection, and

-- Performance criteria on land and in water.

Source: FNSS
Associated URL: ww.fnss.com.tr