Turkish armoured vehicle producer FNSS has been awarded a contract under the Turkish Land Forces’ (TLF’s) new-generation armoured vehicle programme for the serial production of 8×8 and 6×6 variants of the Pars Alpha armoured vehicle family, FNSS announced on 24 February 2025.
In the first phase of the programme FNSS will deliver Pars Alpha 8×8 anti-armour and armoured recovery variants, while 6×6 vehicles to be produced will include a command post variant configured with advanced mission equipment.
The initial phase of the programme will see the procurement of 25 vehicles. The TLF, however, are ultimately planning to acquire over 2,000 vehicles under additional orders.
A Pars Alpha 8×8 prototype “was able to successfully emerge from an intensive competition environment”, FNSS stated. The programme contract, the value of which was not disclosed, was then awarded after comprehensive field tests carried out by the Turkish Defence Industries Secretariat (SSB) and Ministry of National Defence.
“With this new vehicle we have combined 35 years of knowledge, user experience and engineering to create the latest-generation vehicle in its class,” FNSS Vice Chairman of the Board Oğuz Çarmıklı was quoted as saying in a company press release. “We rightfully earned our place with superior success from field tests carried out by SSB. And finally, we have reached the stage of launching the New Generation Vehicles Program, [under] which we will produce Pars Alpha vehicles for our Land Forces.”
The Pars Alpha 8×8 features all-wheel drive, ride-height control and an all-axle steering system and uses a hydro-pneumatic suspension system. It has a turning radius of 7.8 m and can negotiate 40% side slopes, 70% gradients, 2.4 m trenches and 0.8 m vertical obstacles.
Driven by a diesel powerplant developing 711 hp, the vehicle has a maximum road speed of 115 km/h and a range of greater than 800 km.
The infantry fighting vehicle variant of the Pars Alpha features a Teber-II 30/40 two-man or remote-controlled turret (RCT) armed with a 30 mm or 40 mm dual-feed automatic cannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun or chain gun as a secondary, coaxial armament. With the RCT configuration the IFV variant can accommodate a crew of three (commander, driver and gunner) along with nine dismounts.
FNSS states that the Pars Alpha has a high level of ballistic, mine and improvised explosive device protection (although it does not reveal the STANAG 4569 levels for these). The company also says that a gunshot detection system is standard on the vehicle, while an active protection system and laser warning system are optional. The vehicle also features an overpressure and face mask CBRN protection system.
The Pars Alpha is air-transportable by a wide range of airlifters, such as the A400M, C-17 Globemaster, C-5 Galaxy, An-124 and Il-76.
