Vehículo de asalto anfibio turco estará listo en 2019

FNSS to Show Marine Assault Vehicle in 2019

The MAV is fitted with a stabilised RCT armed with a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher and a 12.7 mm machine gun. Source: FNSS

The first examples of the Turkish Marine Assault Vehicle (MAV) - called the Zaha project - are to be unveiled at the IDEF Defence Exhibition to be held in Istanbul, Turkey, in May 2019, Jane's has learnt.

FNSS Savunma Sistemleri and the Undersecretariat of Defence Industries (SSM) signed a contract in March 2017, to design, develop, and manufacture 27 MAVs for the Turkish Naval Forces Command's new landing helicopter dock (LHD). Four vehicles will be command post (CP) and armoured recovery vehicle (ARV) configurations - two of each - and the remainder will be configured as armoured personnel carriers.

The MAV hull is a sealed, hydrodynamic design made of all-welded aluminium armour that can be bolstered with appliqué armour kits and boasts a self-righting capability. It has a combat weight of 30 tonnes and a maximum road speed of 70 km/h and 7 kt in water.


 
MAV at Indodefence 2018 (photo : bmpd)

The diesel powerpack is mounted at the front right of the vehicle, driving the tracks and a pair of rear-mounted waterjets through an automatic gearbox. Each side has six dual rubber-tyred road wheels, with the drive sprocket at the front and the idler at the rear. The upper part of the torsion bar suspension is covered with a skirt to reduce water resistance while afloat.

The driver is seated front left with the commander to the immediate rear, each position having a rearward-opening hatch and day periscopes.

An FNSS-developed remote-controlled turret (RCT) - armed with a stabilised .50-calibre M2 HB machine gun and a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher - is mounted on the right-hand side of the hull behind the powerpack.

The rear compartment has seating for 21 dismounts and can be accessed by roof hatches - which open towards the nearest flank, offering a modicum of protection - a powered ramp, or an emergency door.

Jane's