ACV-300

ACV-300 IFV
Type Infantry fighting vehicle
Place of origin  Turkey
Service history
In service 1992 - Present
Used by  Turkey  United Arab Emirates  Malaysia  Philippines
Production history
Produced 1992 - Present
Specifications
Weight 14 tonnes[1]
Length 5.26 m (17.3 ft)
Width 2.83 m (9.3 ft)
Height 2.88 m (9.4 ft)
Crew 3 + 8

Armor Protection against 14.5 mm AP
Main
armament
25mm FNSS Sharpshooter Turret
Secondary
armament
7.62mm Machine gun
Engine Detroit Diesel Model 6V-53T
300 hp
Power/weight 21.43 hp/tonne
Suspension torsion bar 350 mm
Operational
range
490 km (300 mi)
Speed 65 km/h (40 mph)

ACV-300 is the designation of a tracked vehicle family developed by the Turkish defense company FNSS, containing an infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and an armoured personnel carrier (APC). The ACV-300 is based on the American Advanced Infantry Fighting Vehicle, which is based on the chassis of the M113 armored personnel carrier. It is currently in service with the armed forces of Turkey, Malaysia, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates.

Contents

History

FNSS developed the ACV-300 based on the AIFV to meet the Turkish Land Forces Command's (TLFC's) operational requirement. The first production vehicles were delivered in 1992. The basic AIFV has a one-person power-operated turret armed with a 25mm cannon and 7.62mm co-axial machine gun. FNSS Defense Systems' latest development is the Armored Combat Vehicle - New Generation which has an additional roadwheel each side. This can undertake a wider range of battlefield missions as it has greater internal volume and load-carrying capability. The vehicle is fully amphibious, propelled in the water by its tracks. Standard equipment includes passive night vision equipment, an NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection system and smoke grenade launchers.

The AIFV is in service with Turkey 2249 and the United Arab Emirates (136 delivered). Malaysia has ordered 211 ACV-300 in different versions in 2000, all of which have been delivered.[2]

The Malaysian version of the AIFV is a result of a collaboration between FNSS and the Malaysian company DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies (Deftech). Malaysia's ACV-300 tanks are nicknamed the Adnan, after Adnan bin Saidi, a Malaysian Lieutenant who fought in the Battle of Singapore during World War II. They are manufactured locally at Pekan in Pahang.

The ACV-300 can be fitted with a number of turret choices to tailor to individual customer requirements. They are also equipped with firing ports, which allows infantrymen to fire their weapons from within the vehicle.

The Adnans feature KVH TacNav navigation system incorporating GPS, LWD Avimo laser warning device, Wegmann type 76mm grenade launchers, NBC filtration system and ANVVS-2 night vision system.

Users

 Turkey

Turkey has 1,698 + 551 ACV-300 in service.

 United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates have 136 ACV-300 in service.

 Malaysia

Malaysia has 211 ACV-300 of the following variants in service:[3]

Next to this, Malaysia has announced to purchase 48 additional ACV-300 and 8 vehicles of the stretched variant ACV-S. Those 8 vehicles will be armed with a 120 mm mortar.[4]

 Philippines

The Philippines acquired six (6) ACV-300s for the Philippine Army and delivered in November 2009. One (1) ARV was purchased in 2004.[5] More units to follow, although the number is still vague.

References

Notes
  1. ^ All specifications according to fnss.com.tr, as of April 23, 2008
  2. ^ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb4692/is_200206/ai_n17671624 as seen on 22 April 2008
  3. ^ According to the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms
  4. ^ Bernama press release as seen on April 23, 2008
  5. ^ AFP Modernization AFP Acquires Armor Recovery Vehicle (ARV)

External links