Otokar Introduced Turkey's First Heavy Class Tracked Unmanned Armored Vehicle
Otokar strengthens its position in global markets with its capabilities in the defense industry.
Turkey's global land systems manufacturer Otokar exhibited its defense industry capabilities and introduced the armored vehicles of the future at a press conference held in its Sakarya factory. Otokar, which is a NATO and United Nations supplier and whose military vehicles serve nearly 60 users in more than 40 countries, added the ALPAR Heavy Class Tracked Unmanned Ground Vehicle, ARMA II 8x8 Vehicle and AKREP II R Reconnaissance-Surveillance Vehicle to its armored product family in the defense industry. .
Otokar, a Koç Group company, continues to increase its claim in the defense industry with innovations and new vehicles. Otokar, which serves nearly 60 users in more than 40 countries on five continents, as well as in Turkey, with nearly 33 thousand military vehicles it has developed and produced, explained its capabilities that make a difference in global markets at the press conference held in its factory in Sakarya; introduced the vehicles added to its product family for the first time this year.
"We Compete with World Giants"
Stating that Otokar competes with the world giants on a global scale with its design, development, technology and engineering capabilities, Otokar General Manager Serdar Görgüç stated that world defense industry expenditures increased by 3.7 percent in 2022 and said: "In global markets, the Turkish defense industry, the products it produces and vehicles are gaining great appreciation around the world. As Turkey's global land systems manufacturer, we have an important role in this success. Until 2023, when we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we will have many projects that we are proud of, from Turkey's first armored vehicle production to its first national main battle tank. We have successfully implemented many projects. Today, our military vehicles are on duty in more than 40 friendly and allied countries on 5 continents. Exports constitute 73 percent of our turnover, together with our subsidiary companies. The share of exports in our defense industry turnover in 2022 was 99 percent. Otokar, "In addition to its products, it is now a company that stands out in the world with its technology transfer and local production capabilities."
“Innovation is Indispensable”
Stating that the basis of Otokar's success, which celebrates its 60th anniversary, is the understanding of continuous self-improvement and pioneering innovations, Görgüç talked about its research and development studies: “We are implementing new technologies in land systems and taking a leading role in the sector. Our products, global knowledge, engineering success, R&D and technology capabilities have made us a global player in the defense industry. Thanks to our superior design, testing and production capabilities, we have the ability to quickly respond to the ever-changing needs and needs of our users. We allocate 7 percent of our turnover to research and development activities. Our R&D expenditure in the last 10 years reached 2.1 billion TL. "We are developing vehicles that will meet the needs of modern armies by working on new projects and solutions with our more than 600 R&D Center employees."
Otokar also introduced its R&D Center, which hosts Turkey's most modern test centers and capabilities, at the press conference. "Climatized Test Room with Dynamometer, which is the first and only facility in Turkey and among the few facilities in Europe" within Otokar R&D; “Turkey's and the world's leading modern, accredited Electromagnetic Compatibility Test Center”; "Turkey's highest capacity hydraulic road simulator", "accredited ballistic laboratory and mine testing equipment among the most advanced and modern facilities in the world" and "Turkey's highest capacity six-degree-of-freedom motion simulator"; There are test centers where performance measurements of the military vehicle fire control system and stabilization algorithm are tested. Otokar offers these opportunities to different users in Türkiye and around the world.
Otokar introduced its new products designed and developed by the company's R&D department at the meeting. Stating that it has strengthened its place among the leading suppliers in global land systems, Görgüç said the following about the company's goals: "As Otokar, our primary goal is to increase our exports and to continue our contribution to the country's exports by taking advantage of opportunities in technology transfer and joint production with local partners abroad. “As always, we aim to continue to offer our products, capabilities and opportunities for the benefit of the Turkish Armed Forces and security forces, and while doing this, we aim to offer innovative products and services in line with user expectations and needs in global markets.”
Turkey's First Domestically Motorized 8x8 Armored Vehicle: ARMA II
Otokar developed the ARMA II 8x8 Armored Vehicle, taking into account the asymmetric threats that are frequently encountered today, as well as the classical combat conditions. ARMA II offers the highest ballistic, mine and improvised explosive (IED) protection in its class in the world. It offers optimum performance with high off-road capability. With a maximum loaded weight of 40 tons, ARMA II allows for increased carrying capacity, more protection features, as well as the integration of heavy weapon systems up to 120mm caliber.
ARMA II is Turkey's first domestically powered 8x8 armored vehicle. A 12.7 liter, 6-cylinder, turbo diesel, 720 HP domestic engine was used for ARMA II, which is a high-tech vehicle. During the three-year study, the engine was tested on the vehicle, system level qualifications were completed, and it was made ready for mass production. Thus, the ability to design and manufacture a heavy class 8x8 armored vehicle with a domestic engine in Turkey was brought to the country. In ARMA II, Otokar used the transfer box and suspension system that it designed and produced with its own resources in order to reduce foreign dependency. He preferred national design and domestic production subsystems, including the cooling package.
Designed as a modular platform, ARMA II ranges from armored personnel carrier to reconnaissance vehicle; It is a platform suitable for many different missions, from command and control vehicles to battlefield rescue missions. With the additional volume provided by the expandable body main structure, it is the most superior vehicle in its class, capable of performing various tasks such as maintenance-repair and ambulance.
“Scorpio II R” for Reconnaissance and Surveillance Mission
Otokar introduced AKREP II R, the new variant of AKREP II, which attracted the attention of users with its low silhouette, agility and off-road capability. Developed as an advanced reconnaissance and surveillance vehicle, the vehicle has the ability to easily carry out reconnaissance and surveillance activities in the area close to the battlefield with its low silhouette, and also to send the information it obtains to a command and control center thanks to the battlefield management system and the satellite communication system on it. The reconnaissance and surveillance system is integrated so that it can be completely hidden inside the vehicle when not in use, thanks to the rising mast embedded in the body. In addition, thanks to its remote-controlled weapon system, it can perform self-protection and/or destruction of detected targets in the close combat area.
Thanks to the CBRN protection equipment, auxiliary power group and other support equipment that can be added to the vehicle with a capacity of 3 personnel, the vehicle personnel have the ability to serve on the battlefield for days.
Turkey's First Heavy Class Tracked Unmanned Armored Vehicle: ALPAR
Otokar's surprise at the meeting was the ALPAR Heavy Class Tracked Unmanned Armored Vehicle. ALPAR was developed by Otokar as an unmanned platform that can perform tasks with manned and unmanned elements on the battlefield in order to meet the robotic and unmanned ground vehicle needs of the armed forces. The vehicle, which has a maximum loaded weight of 15 tons, aims to find solutions to the following issues with its autonomous systems and artificial intelligence systems:
Reducing personnel risk on the battlefield
Increasing the success of tasks, especially routine tasks, by reducing the number of personnel in the field through the use of Artificial Intelligence and data analytics
To increase effectiveness on the battlefield by communicating with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and other elements on the battlefield.
ALPAR, the first heavy land vehicle designed to be unmanned, is a first for the Turkish defense industry. The vehicle, which has a serial hybrid electric drive infrastructure and can operate completely silently, has the ability to operate autonomously and with remote control. ALPAR draws attention with its low thermal signature, ability to be carried on aircraft and quick-change battery infrastructure. Moreover, ALPAR increases its mission capability thanks to the mini unmanned ground vehicle it can carry.
Regarding the vehicle, which has a modular design suitable for tasks such as advanced reconnaissance and surveillance and different missions such as fire support vehicle, logistics support vehicle, air defense vehicle, anti-tank vehicle, General Manager Görgüç said: “As Otokar, we follow technological innovations with ALPAR and aim for our Turkish defense industry.” We are proud to offer an innovative solution.”
All environmental perception and decision-making algorithms used in ALPAR were developed with domestic resources. The vehicle has Adaptive Driving Support Systems developed by Otokar.
New Capability in Tower Systems
This was another first among the systems introduced by Otokar. For the first time in Turkey, anti-tank missile integration was made on a 30 mm turret system. Roketsan OMTAS launcher was integrated into Otokar's MIZRAK 30 turret, providing anti-tank missile capability for the first time to a turret system produced in Turkey. The MIZRAK tower, which is integrated on all types of armored vehicles, now creates a very effective solution for armored infantry combat vehicles with its medium-caliber gun and anti-tank missile capability.