Otokar “Celebrating 50th Anniversary”

Turkey’s largest private sector defence company and leading armoured vehicles supplier of Turkish Armed Forces, Otokar is celebrating  its 50th anniversary while enjoying the outstanding performance of  more than 25.000 military vehicles in around 30 countries. These vehicles are operating under many different climate and terrain conditions in five different continents of the world. Their combat capabilities are proven as they are widely used in the high risk areas.  Otokar armoured vehicles serve different missions of the armies in different configurations through its entire product range starting from 4 tons armoured personnel carriers till the main battle tank.

Otokar Armoured Vehicles

In early 1990’s, Otokar combined its armouring technology with its experience in manufacturing tactical wheeled vehicles by developing today’s very well known, Turkey’s first 4x4 light-armoured tactical wheeled vehicles of  “APV”, and “Cobra”.

Cobra, the most well-known armoured vehicle platform of Otokar, is in service since 1997 which has been standardized in Turkish Army in various configurations. Cobra today is are outstandingly operating globally in 15 countries.

Otokar added Kaya Mine Resistant Armoured Vehicles to its product family in 2009. Kaya presents optimum mine and explosive resistance together with its superior terrain performance. The vehicle can transfer 12 personnel, and it provides the ability to respond possible threats with its turret. In order to protect the crew, Otokar engineers designed safe seats with special protection against mine and explosion. And for the internal design of the vehicle it’s aimed to provide fast and easy evacuation. Due to the claims and requirements of the users, Kaya has an infrastructure that can be designed in various configurations suitable for different missions. Thanks to its modular design, Kaya can also be used as mine resistant troop or cargo carrier whenever needed. 

Otokar initiated the studies for Arma in 2007 as a multi-wheeled armoured vehicle platform project.  In this regard concept design, qualification, validation processes, detailed design; computer aided engineering studies and prototype testing phases of the vehicle are initiated first for 6x6 and afterwards 8x8 armoured vehicles  

In the beginning of 2008, the first prototype of Arma 6x6 was completed and the development tests took place. Following various numbers of prototypes qualification program realized by the end of 2010.

Arma Family 

The Arma 6X6 was introduced to public at the Eurosatory 2010 held in Paris. Right after this launch Arma was applauded by the award of two different international contracts. 

The conceptual phase and design of the Arma 8X8 have been completed and the first  prototype was already on road  by  end  2010. Arma 8x8, like the 6x6 version, is very much compatible for several mission profiles with its high mobility and protection features. 

Arma is a newest generation modular multi-wheel armoured vehicle with superior tactical and technical features. Thanks to the modularity and highly protected armoured monocoque hull design, Arma is a multipurpose platform allowing the integration of various types of mission equipment or weapon systems which is capable to meet the needs of the modern armies in real battlefield and peace-making operations. Arma, being an agile and highly manoeuvrable platform, can cross over long distances in a wide range of challenging terrains from deserts to arctic conditions.

While Arma 6X6 has a combat weight of 18,500 kg and can carry out a mission which is composed of 10 personnel overall which are driver, commander, gunner and 7 troops in its fully protected hull in APC version. Arma 8x8 carries 12 personnel and has different combat weights of 24,000 kg and 28,000 kg in different types. 

Arma has compact dimensions when it is compared with other 8x8 vehicles in the market and can be carried with C-130 aircraft without any preparation. Despite its compact size, Arma 8x8 has larger useable interior volume and a better vehicle silhouette.

Depending on the customer requirements Arma can be equipped with a 450hp or more powerful engines and proven driveline components to perform a superior mobility on all terrain conditions. 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 keep eye contact continuously among each other. Water-cooled turbo diesel engine capable of running on F-34 or F-54 fuel drives the wheels through an automatic gearbox and transfer box. 

The independent suspension system enhanced with Run Flat Tires, built-in Central Tyres Inflation System (CTIS) and Anti-locking Brake System (ABS) improves ground mobility and ride comfort even over the roughest terrain. Vehicle’s mobility is further enhanced with longitudinal and transverse differential locks and the high power to weight ratio coupled with high ground clearance and approach/departure angles. Also, Arma provides amphibious capability by twin hydraulically driven screw-propeller with joystick control.

Arma provides a high level of protection against ballistic and mine threats by means of high hardness monocoque steel hull. V-shaped monocoque type body structure provides high level of mine blast protection to the crew. Specially designed seats preventing body injuries such as head, neck, spinal cord and pelvis and multi-point seat belt provides safe cruising for the crew.

Arma family, thanks to its high payload and large internal volume, allows integration with various types of mission equipment and weapon systems. Recently, several variants including CBRN Recce, EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Vehicle and Reconnaissance / Surveillance Vehicle have already been designed and manufactured.

Considering the future requirements, Arma 8x8 comes in different variants  providing higher ballistic and mine protection and allowing the integration of high calibre weapon systems ranging from 90 mm to 120 mm keeping the  amphibious capability and the same mobility . Accommodating such big weapons the vehicle’s crew capacity remains the same due to the unique design of the platform. 

Beside high calibre weapon systems, open cupola with like 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm, 20 mm machine gun or automatic grenade launcher, closed one man turret with 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm, remote control weapon station with 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm, 14.5 mm, 20 mm, medium calibre weapon systems like 25 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, ATGM systems and mortar systems can be integrated to Arma.. 

Furthermore, with the outstanding design supporting various types of mission equipment, Arma 8x8 can be easily adopted for a wide range of roles and missions such as Personnel Carrier, Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Command and Control Vehicle, Reconnaissance / Surveillance Vehicle, CBRN (Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear) Reconnaissance Vehicle, Maintenance / Recovery Vehicle and Medical Evacuation Vehicle.