Turkish company FNSS unveiled a new vehicle, the Pars Alpha 8×8, during the World Defense Show (WDS) in Saudi Arabia from 4-8 February 2024.
The Pars Alpha 8×8 is presented as a next-generation AFV that provides “comprehensive dominance on the battlefield” and which “meets the tactical and operational requirements” of modern armed forces.
The manufacturer emphasises that the vehicle has greater mobility than any of its predecessors, which is achieved through the use of a new all-wheel-drive system with hydropneumatic suspension, adjusting the vehicle’s height to terrain conditions. The Pars Alpha can overcome inclines of up to 40%, road gradients of 70%, obstacles up to 2.4 m in length, and vertical obstacles up to 80 cm high, according to FNSS.
A crew of three and up to nine dismounts are situated in a single section behind the vehicle’s powerpack compartment. Direct communication between the driver and commander is said to increase vehicle situational awareness. The Pars Alpha 8×8 can be transported by aircraft such as the A400M, C-17 Globemaster, An-124, C-5 Galaxy, and Il-76.
The declared speed of the vehicle is 115 km/h on roads, with a range of 800 km. FNSS mentioned at WDS 2024 that the vehicle can travel a total of 5,000 km, including in diffult terrain, before any repairs are necessary.
The manufacturer added that the Pars Alpha has “unrivaled” resistance to mine explosions, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and fragments of artillery projectiles. The vehicle can be equipped with active protection systems (soft-kill and hard-kill), a shot detection system, and a laser warning system. It also provides protection against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.
During WDS 2024 the Pars Alpha 8×8 was presented with the unmanned Teber-II 30/40 turret, armed with a 30 mm calibre gun (a 40 mm calibre gun can be mounted if requested by the customer). However, FNSS adds that the Pars Alpha can also be equipped with other weapon systems, including 120 mm direct/indirect guns, air-defence systems, advanced anti-tank systems, or 120 mm mortars.
Additionally, the vehicle can be equipped with an integrated 7.62 mm machine gun mounted co-axially with the main gun. A remotely controlled machine gun (5.56 mm or 7.62 mm) can also be mounted on the turret roof that can engage unmanned aerial vehicles as well as other targets.
The Teber-II 30/40 can also use various modern anti-tank missiles, including semi-automatic command to line of sight (SACLOS) and automatic command to line of sight (ACLOS) guidance systems.
