The Kazakhstan Ministry of Defense announced that the military tested Turkish-made Otokar Arma 8×8 wheeled armored combat vehicle and Aselsan Nefer remote-controlled stabilized weapon system. The equipment were tested in the Spassk exercise area located in the Karaganda province, Kazakhstan. Its operating temperature varies between -32 degrees Celsius to +55 degrees Celsius and the system allows integration with external sensors and command and control systems. It was revealed that the Arma, which has features per NATO standards, was delivered to Kazakhstan free of charge by Otokar for extensive tactical, firing and other operational features tests as well as experimental military operations in various climatic conditions.
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 armored monocoque steel hull and has a large internal capacity despite a low silhouette. It allows the transportation of a maximum of 12 personnel, including a driver and a commander. The modular design of the vehicle enables the installation of a range of weapon systems and equipment based on their particular mission requirements. The Arma could probably be equipped a large with a range of manned and remote weapons stations.
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. In 2016, Otokar teamed up with Emirati company Al Jasoor to produce up to 700 Rabdan’s for $661 million for the United Arab Emirates Army. Most recently, in October, Otokar has signed an export deal with an African country for the sale of the Arma 8×8 vehicles along with the company’s other 4×4 tactical wheeled armored vehicles.
The Turkish-made Nefer weapon module, a 7.62-millimeter machine gun and 30-millimeter 2A42 automatic cannon, is specially designed for the use of the Kazakhstan army while taking into account the harsh winter conditions in the country. The weapon system’s features include shoot-on-the-move capability for stationary and moving targets with gyro-aided stabilization, day and night imaging, automatic target tracking, automatic ballistic calculation, laser range finder for accurate ballistics, computer-based fire control functions, fired rounds counter or last ammunition warning. Thanks to the remote-controlled combat system and thermal imaging camera it allows effective night firing.
