Arma is 6×6 and 8×8 amphibious wheeled armoured combat vehicle 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. ARMA is a new generation modular multi-wheeled vehicle with superior tactical and technical features. Thanks to its superior mobility, high mine and ballistic protection, medium and high caliber weapon system integration options; ARMA is capable to​ serve modern armies in the real battlefield, peace keeping and human relief operations in most difficult terrain and climatic conditions.
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 (AMV). 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.
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.
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.The Arma could probably be equipped a large with a range of manned and remote weapons stations. 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. The vehicle is amphibious and driven by 2 hyraulically driven propellors in water allowing a high seagoing performance with a pivot turn capability.
The Arma 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 DC 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.
