OTOKAR General Manager Serdar GÖRGÜÇ`s Comments and A Message on IDEF `21

“We are pleased to attend IDEF ‘21. Fairs have always been an opportunity for us, the manufacturers, to talk about new programs and needs with end-users and to come together with suppliers. As you know, several fairs have been postponed for about 1.5 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of them have been completely canceled, and our face-to-face processes have been seriously interrupted. Therefore, holding the IDEF Fair this year was a good morale-boosting development for the entire industry. 

The participation rate of foreign delegations in IDEF Fairs has always been high. At first, we had concerns about whether the number of foreign delegations would be affected, as the fair would be held in August this year during the pandemic period. However, contrary to our concerns, we had a good fair. Although the delegations from our target countries in land systems were few, there were delegations from several other countries, especially from the African region, that we had not met before. We had the opportunity to meet with our supplier participating in the fair and talk about our new projects. It was a very fulfilling IDEF for us.

At the IDEF '21 Fair, we exhibited the COBRA II MRAP model, which we had not shown before in Turkey. This vehicle, which we exhibited at the IDEX Fair before, is actually a variation of the COBRA II. Compared to the COBRA II, it provides higher mine/blast resistance and protection against kinetic energy munitions. While the COBRA II MRAP provides a higher level of protection, it has a lower silhouette, low center of gravity, and an independent suspension system than similar vehicles. 

In addition to our standard ARMA 8x8 platform, we brought the ARMA 8x8 to IDEF, which we prepared according to the specifications of the Turkish Land Forces for the Next Generation Armored Vehicles Project. According to the requirements, this vehicle is equipped with the more powerful APU that we used in TULPAR compared to the standard ARMA 8x8. Likewise, it has a different STANAG 4569 'edition' protection compared to the standard ARMA. A 35mm Remote Controlled Turret is required, so we preferred Aselsan's KORHAN Turret. The NBC system is also different in this vehicle. While the standard configuration ARMA uses a pressurized system, both masked and pressurized hybrid systems are used in this vehicle. In addition, while the suspension of the standard ARMA 8x8 is coil spring, we used "hydropneumatic suspension" for this version in line with the requirements. With all these additions and the turret, its combat weight increased to over 30 tons. One of our three different standard powerpacks for ARMA platforms, which fits the engine compartment, was very suitable for this vehicle. This powerpack is also sufficient for this additional weight increase. It is not in the requirements yet, but if there is a reliable domestic engine with suitable power and will not impair the vehicle's performance and tarnish its reputation, we will, of course, install it.

We exhibited the electric version of AKREP II (AKREP IIe) at the previous IDEF Fair. This year, we introduced the diesel-powered version of our AKREP II vehicle (AKREP IId). We exhibited our AKREP IId Armored Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Weapons Platform Vehicle with a 90mm turret, which is a standard configuration for armed reconnaissance in many countries, which may attract the attention of potential users, especially in the African continent. We got very good feedback from users. Two countries were very interested in the vehicle; this number has increased.

We continue to test the fully electric version of AKREP II in different configurations at OTOKAR facilities to improve our capabilities. We transfer our experiences from Otokar's fully electric bus here. However, we believe that using an all-electric propulsion system in military vehicles has not matured yet. Currently, all potential customers interested in our AKREP II want the diesel engine version. AKREP II is actually a reconnaissance platform. Electronic reconnaissance vehicles can perform armed reconnaissance missions with a 90mm cannon, act as air defense vehicles or weapon platforms. AKREP II, a 3-seater vehicle with different variants for special missions and can be transported by military transport aircraft. For example, the 90mm turret version of the AKREP II can fit into the C-130 Aircraft. Compared to its counterparts, the AKREP IId is very confident both in terms of protection level and silhouette. It is not a very heavy vehicle, and it has a very low silhouette and high mine protection compared to its size. Moreover, it has different features. For example, since the rear axle is steerable, the vehicle can move sideways. Many potential users are interested in this feature. AKREP II is also a vehicle that can easily be used in urban areas with its different turret solutions. The 90mm gun turret is loaded manually, 12 rounds are carried in the turret, and 10 rounds are carried in the vehicle body. After completing the tests of AKREP II as a platform, we will be working on different vehicle configurations. By the end of 2022, we will be ready for serial production of the vehicle.”