Otokar, a leading armoured tactical vehicle designer and manufacturer in Turkey, said it has won a $63.2 million contract for its new 6x6 tactical armoured vehicle Arma.

Arma is the newest product family within the Otokar’s the tactical wheeled armoured vehicle range with modular multi-wheel configuration.

Thanks to the high level of ballistic and mine protection as well as, the outstanding design allowing the integration of various types of mission equipments, Arma is an adaptable platform for evolving mission needs in a modern battlefield.

It provides superior tactical and technical features with an outstanding cost among competitive products, said a statement from Otokar.

Deliveries are scheduled to be in 2012 and Otokar will provide spare parts and training under the contract requirements, said a senior official.

'This is the second export contract for Arma 6x6 in its first year,' explained Serdar Gorguc, Otokar’s general manager.

'As the leading designer and exporter of armoured vehicles in Turkey, we continue to grow in defence industry with local and international orders. Representing the Turkish defence industry in world arena with our well-known armoured vehicles, we continue to execute contracts abroad,' he added.

'We are proud to sign the second contract although it has only been twelve months since we introduced the Arma. This award win demonstrates that Arma is the new generation answer and ideal concept and design for upcoming threats, and expectations of modern armed forces,' observed Gorguc.

'This second contract which is signed quite soon after the presentation of the vehicle to users is a strong indicator that Arma will be one of the flagships of Otokar’s product range,' he added.

The 6.4 m long, 2.7 m wide and 2.2 m high Arma 6x6 variant has an 19 tonnes combat weight and carries a driver, commander and eight dismounts in its fully NBC protected hull. The vehicle is C-130 air transportable in standard configuration.

ARMA's front two axles are steerable enabling it to make a turning radius of 7.85 m and the vehicle rides on independent hydro-pneumatic suspension, offering respectable off-road mobility.

'Tyre run flat capability and Central inflation system is supplied as standard. It can negotiate a 45-degree approach and departure angles leading onto 60 per cent inclines and 30 per cent side-slopes. It can also cross 1.2 m wide trenches and climb over 60 cm obstacles,' said Gorguc.

A 450 hp water-cooled turbo diesel capable of running on F-34 or F-54 fuel drives the wheels through an automatic gearbox and single-speed transfer box, giving it a top speed of 105 km/h and a power/weight ratio of 24.3 hp/tonne.

This also powers the onboard 24 V DC electrical system, which incorporates two maintenance-free 125 Ah batteries and a 3.3 kW converter.

Arma vehicle’s development started in 2007 as a company funded development project for home and export markets.

Development studies from concept design till the end of test phases including qualification and validation processes, detailed design, computer aided engineering studies, are performed by Otokar.-TradeArabia News Service