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Otokar Arma

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Otokar Arma is a 6x6 and 8x8 amphibious wheeled armored combat vehicle family designed and developed by Otokar. The vehicle is a modular multi-wheel configurable with a monocoque steel hull.

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 or 30 mm gun or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher or 14.5 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

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Otokar developed the vehicle to target the Turkish Land Forces’ Special Purpose Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicle (Özel Maksatlı Taktik Tekerlekli Zırhlı Araç, ÖMTTZA) project. It was first presented to the public at Eurosatory 2010. Arma vehicle's development started in 2007 as a company-funded development project for home and export markets.[1]

Service history

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During the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in the Yemeni Civil War, Bahrain deployed a mechanized company equipped with the 6x6 Arma.[2]

Variants

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Rabdan

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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 small arms fire 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. The Rabdan is equipped with a 100-mm 2A70 semi-automatic rifled gun, a 30-mm 2A72 cannon, and a 7.62-mm machine gun.[3]

Al Jasoor is expected to produce up to 700 Rabdans for $661 million for the United Arab Emirates Army.[4][5]

Design

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Armament

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There are five different weapon systems that have been used in the Arma. The Mizrak 30 is a 30mm autonomous main gun, which can be controlled by either the gunner or commander from within the vehicle, and comes with a 7.62mm co-axle machine gun. The Mizrak 30 also is high tech, as it comes with digital fire control, stabilized sights (with the sights also having thermal), a laser range finder, etc.[6] The Mizrak S 30 is similar to the Mizrak 30 in fields like armaments and tech, but it has the advantage of being lighter. [7]

The ÜÇOK turret system is a remote control weapon station, and is a stabilized machine gun platform which can be equipped with either a 12.7 mm machine gun, a 7.62 mm machine gun, or 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. Like both the Mizrak models, the ÜÇOK system can be operated from inside the vehicle, but can also be operated with from without. The ÜÇOK also has similar tech to the Mizrak 30 and Mizrak S 30.[8]

The BAŞOK system is a remote controlled 7.62 mm machine gun, and also has similar technological features as the Mizraks and the ÜÇOK.[9]

The KESKIN is also a remote-controlled system, which can be operated with a 14.5 mm machine gun, 12.7 mm machine gun, 7.62 mm machine gun, or a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher. It is composed of similar technology to the Mizraks, the ÜÇOK, and the BAŞOK, but also comes with 360º situational awareness.[10]

Protection

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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. 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.[1]

Propulsion

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The Arma 6x6 is motorized with a 450hp water-cooled turbo diesel capable of running on F-34 or F-54 fuel drives the wheels through an automatic gearbox and single-speeded transfer box, giving it a top speed of 105km/h and a power/weight ratio of 24.3hp/ton. This also powers the onboard 24V direct current DC electrical system, which incorporates two maintenance-free 125 Ah batteries and a 3.3kW 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 hydro-pneumatic suspension, offering respectable off-road mobility and comfort. It can negotiate 45-degree approach and departure angles leading onto 60 percent inclines and 30 percent side-slopes. It can also cross 1.2m-wide trenches and climb over 60 cm obstacles.[1]

Accessories

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The Arma can be transported by a Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport plane. Standard equipment of Arma 6x6 includes NBC[clarification needed] 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.[1]

Operators

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Current operators

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  Bahrain (73)
In 2010, Bahrain procured 73 units for $74 million.[11]
  United Arab Emirates (400)
In 2017 400, Rabdan variants were delivered to United Arab Emirates Army.[4] 700 planned[12]

Future operators

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  Estonia (~115)
In October 2023, Estonia ordered 230 APCs from Otokar for €130 million, about half of which are said to be the Arma 6x6 variant, to be delivered in 2024 and 2025.[13][14]

Potential operators

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  Chile (> 200)
The Chilean Army is looking for a successor to its 160 Piraña I 6×6 and 30 Piraña I 8×8. On a long term perspective, more than 200 vehicles are expected to be purchased, but in the meantime, a first phase of the replacement includes a tender for 40 8×8 armoured vehicles. The requirement mentions a maximum weight of 38 tons. Among the known competitors are:[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Arma 6x6". Army-Technology. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  2. ^ International Institute for Strategic Studies (February 2016). The Military Balance 2016. Vol. 116. Routlegde. p. 315. ISBN 9781857438352.
  3. ^ Bilal Khan (2017-08-08). "Emirati and Turkish companies pair up to supply 8×8 IFV to UAE". Quwa.org. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
  4. ^ a b "IDEX 2019: RABDAN 8x8 IFV with BMP-3 turret in service with UAE armed forces". armyrecognition.com. 17 February 2019.
  5. ^ "Rabdan 8×8 IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle". militaryleak.com. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  6. ^ ""Mizrak 30 Turret Systems"".
  7. ^ ""Mizrak S 30 Turret System"".
  8. ^ ""ÜÇOK Turret Systems"".
  9. ^ ""BAŞOK Turret Systems"".
  10. ^ ""KESKIN Turret Systems"".
  11. ^ "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2017-08-12.
  12. ^ "Trade Registers". armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 2021-05-09.
  13. ^ "2nd Infantry Brigade hopes to take new armored vehicles to Spring Storm next year". 18 October 2023.
  14. ^ https://www.otokar.com.tr/news/daily-news/estonia-awarded-otokar-euro130-million-contract-for-the-supply-of-arma-6x6-vehicles [bare URL]
  15. ^ "Chile opens bidding for new wheeled armored vehicles". 25 October 2023.
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