FNSS Pars 6x6 armoured combat vehicles (image : FNSS)
Malaysia's DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies (Deftech) and FNSS Savunma Sistemleri are collaborating on positioning the Turkish company's 4×4 and 6×6 Pars armoured combat vehicles for requirements within the Malaysian Army.
The two programmes plan to build on Deftech and FNSS's partnership on developing and building the Malaysian Army's 8×8 AV8 armoured fighting vehicle, which is an evolved version of the FNSS's 8×8 Pars platform. Deftech plans to conclude deliveries of these AV8s to the army by the end of 2022.
Company officials told Janes on 28 March at the opening day of the Defence Services Asia 2022 (DSA 2022) exhibition in Kuala Lumpur that the 4×4 and 6×6 Pars vehicles are being offered to replace the Malaysian Army's German-made Condor 4×4s and Belgian-made SIBMAS 6×6 armoured vehicles.
Officials said the 4×4 and 6×6 Pars vehicles were trialled in Turkey and that “mobility evaluations” would continue in Malaysia from April. Janes understands that the companies see an opportunity to supply 88 6×6 versions of the Pars vehicle and 136 4×4s. It is anticipated that initial contracts for the vehicles could be signed in 2023 if the vehicle meets Malaysian Army requirements and funding is available.
At the DSA 2022 exhibition, Deftech showcased the 6×6 Pars III vehicle fitted with an FNSS remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) featuring a 12.7 mm machine gun. The 4×4 Pars was integrated with a remote-controlled anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system. However, officials stressed that the vehicles' configuration for the Malaysian Army had not yet been agreed.
(Jane's)