Third life for Pars

FNSS Savunma Sistemleri's Pars III (8x8) in the infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) role is being shown for the first time at DSEI on Stand N6-240, where it is fitted with the latest Saber one-person turret armed with a stabilised Northrop Grumman, Armament Systems 25mm dual-feed cannon and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.

The earlier Pars II is in service with Malaysia in a range of configurations, most of which are fully amphibious, propelled in the water by two waterjets.

A total of 257 Pars II are being supplied to Malaysia, with the first deliveries already made. Some of these are fitted with the latest Saber turret.

The launch customer for the latest Pars III (8x8) is Oman, which has ordered 172 vehicles in numerous configurations. The first deliveries, some fitted with the Saber turret, have been completed.

In May, the Presidency of Defence Industries of Turkey placed orders for Pars III to meet a requirement for a Special Purpose Tactical Wheeled Armoured Vehicle (SPTWAV). Most of these are for the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC), with a small number for the General Command of Gendarmerie.

The SPTWAV contract covers 8x8 and 6x6 versions of the Pars III. All feature an anti-lock braking system, central tyre inflation and run-flat inserts, air-conditioning system, self-recovery winch and a hydropneumatic suspension system.

The company is also in production of Pars 4x4 and Kaplan 10 for the TLFC; these are fitted with the FNSS Savunma Sistemleri-developed Anti-Tank Remote Controlled Turret, which has two Russian Kornet-E and two locally developed Roketsan OMTAS anti-tank guided weapons, plus a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.