Otokar Arma

Arma is 6x6 and 8x8 amphibious wheeled armoured combat vehicle[1][2] family designed and developed by Otokar. The vehicle is a modular multi-wheel configurable with high level of ballistic and mine protection due to its high hardness monocoque steel hull.[3]

Otokar Arma
TypeArmoured combat vehicle
Place of originTurkey
Service history
Used bySee Operators
WarsSaudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Production history
DesignerOtokar
ManufacturerOtokar
VariantsArmored personnel carrier, Infantry fighting vehicle
Specifications
Mass18,500 kg
Length6.4 m
Width2.7 m
Height2.2 m
Crew2+8
Armor12.5 mm
Main
armament
One 12.7 mm or 7.62 mm machine gun
EngineWater-cooled turbo diesel
450 hp
Power/weight24.3 hp/tonne
SuspensionHydropneumatic
Operational
range
700 km
Maximum speed 105 km/h

Development

Otokar developed the vehicle to target the Turkish Land Forces’ Special Purpose Tactical Wheeled Armoured Vehicle (Özel Maksatlı Taktik Tekerlekli Zırhlı Araç, ÖMTTZA) project. It is competing against two other vehicles in the shape of FNSS Defence Systems’ Pars and HEMA Endustri's Anafarta, a variant of Patria's 6×6 Armoured Modular Vehicle. Turkish Land Forces are expected to make a selection for its OMTTZA requirement by mid-2010 and subsequently procure 336 vehicles in a variety of versions: 30 for NBC reconnaissance, 36 radar carriers, 108 sensor carriers, 39 command vehicles and 108 fire-support vehicles, which could be armed with a manually operated 20 mm cannon. Mobility tests with prototypes to date have included around 10,000 km of running over varied terrain.[4]

Otokar presented the first time to the public the Arma wheeled armoured vehicle at Eurosatory 2010. The Arma is the latest product of Otokar's design and development studies and a proof of Otokar's ability to leverage its engineering, manufacturing and expertise across a large portfolio of armoured tactical vehicles. Arma is a new product family within the Otokar's the tactical wheeled armoured vehicle range with modular multi-wheel configuration. Arma vehicle platform with superior tactical and technical features will be an outstanding and cost effective product among competitive products. Thanks to the high level of ballistic and mine protection as well as, the outstanding design allowing the integration of various types of weapon stations and mission equipment, Arma will be an adaptable platform for evolving mission needs in a modern battlefield. Arma vehicle's development started in 2007 as a company funded development project for home and export markets.[4]

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. Arma 6x6 is ready for full-scale production and the family will be complemented by an 8x8 version late in 2010. In 2010, Turkish leading land systems manufacturer, Otokar received the first contract for its new 6x6 tactical armoured vehicle Arma from abroad. The contract is valued in excess of $10.6 million including the vehicles, spare parts and training. Deliveries under this contract award are expected to be completed in 15 months. In June 2011, Otokar has been awarded a $63.2 million second contract for its new 6x6 tactical armoured vehicle Arma.[4]

Service history

During the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in the Yemeni Civil War, Bahrain deployed a mechanised company equipped with 6x6 Arma.[5]

Variants

Rabdan

In 2016, Otokar teamed up with Emirati company Al Jasoor to develop a new 8x8 vehicle for the United Arab Emirates Army. Al Jasoor, which is a joint company between Otokar UAE (49%) and Tawazun Holdings (51%), was established to create and develop a unique variant based on the Arma 8x8 called Rabdan in the United Arab Emirates. The Rabdan was created to replace the United Arab Emirates Army BMP-3 Infantry fighting vehicles. Al Jasoor Rabdan and Otokar Arma are different in multiple ways. The Rabdan is heavier at 28 tons (vs Arma 24 tons) and has a length and width of 15 cm and 55 cm. The Rabdan also provides a small arms fie protection of up to STANAG 4569 Level 4 and mine blast protection of up to STANAG Level 4a and Level 4b.

Since the Rabdan was created to replace the BMP-3, the BMP-3 turrets are also configurable on the Rabdan and the Rabdan is equipped with 100-mm 2A70 semi-automatic rifled gun, 30 mm 2A72 cannon, and 7.62 mm machine gun.[6]

Al Jasoor is expected to produce up to 700 Rabdan's for $661 million for the United Arab Emirates Army.[7][8]

Design

Armament

The first prototype of the Arma is equipped with a circle ring support, armed with a single 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. A tank destroyer variant sporting a 105mm cannon has also been exhibited.[9] The Arma could probably be equipped a large with a range of manned and remote weapons stations.

Protection

No details have been released on its ballistic protection, but since it is required to be amphibious, armouring is not expected to exceed STANAG 4569 Level II, but its relatively high 425 mm ground clearance should help achieve mine protection to Level IIIB or higher. Arma's ballistic and anti-mine protection is provided by high hardness monocoque steel hull and all personnel is seated on anti- mine seats.[4]

Propulsion

The Arma 6x6 is motorised with 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 direct currentDC electrical system, which incorporates two maintenance-free 125 Ah batteries and a 3.3 kW converter. Arma's front two axles are steerable enabling it to make a turning radius of 7.85 m and the vehicle rides on independent hydropneumatic suspension, offering respectable off-road mobility and comfort. It can negotiate 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.[4]

Accessories

The Arma can be transported by a C-130 plane. Standard equipment of Arma 6x6 includes NBC protection system and air conditioning. Arma can be driven in 6x6 or 6x4 modes depending upon the terrain conditions. The vehicle is amphibious and driven by two hydraulically driven propellers in water, allowing a high seagoing performance with a pivot turn capability.[4]

Operators
  •  Bahrain In 2010, Bahrain procured 73 units for $74 million.[10]

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2014-05-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-05-12. Retrieved 2014-05-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-06-28. Retrieved 2010-06-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Arma 6x6". Army-Technology. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  5. International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. 116. Routlegde. p. 315. ISBN 9781857438352.
  6. Bilal Khan (2017-08-08). "Emirati and Turkish companies pair up to supply 8×8 IFV to UAE". Quwa.org. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
  7. "IDEX 2019: RABDAN 8x8 IFV with BMP-3 turret in service with UAE armed forces". armyrecognition.com. 17 February 2019.
  8. "Rabdan 8×8 IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle". militaryleak.com. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  9. Otokar, Land Defence Systems House of Turkey, Unveils TULPAR Armoured Tracked Vehicle at IDEF
  10. "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
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