Turkish Military Gets New Anti-tank Vehicles

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) have taken the delivery of two weapon carrier vehicles, Kaplan and Pars, at a ceremony held at FNSS Defense Systems’ facility in the Gölbaşı district, Ankara, on Wednesday.

The Turkish Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) awarded FNSS Defense Systems a contract for 260 vehicles- 76 Pars 4×4 and 184 Kaplan ATVS, in June 2016. Along with the vehicles, 64 anti-tank missiles Kornet E gun turrets and 196 medium-ranged anti-tank weapon system UMTAS gun turrets will enter into TSK's inventory through 2022.

On November 25, Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) said in a Twitter post that the military would receive first of the ordered vehicles armed with UMTAS missiles next year. “The UMTAS missile hit the target successfully.  Qualification tests of UMTAS equipped on Pars and Kaplan vehicle will be completed by the end of this year. Delivery will begin by 2020,” the tweet read.