FNSS PARS III 8x8 armoured enters in service with Oman Army.

According a footage release by the Oman National TV, Omani land forces have take delivery of first PARS III 8x8 armoured vehicles designed and manufactured by the Turkish Company FNSS. The PARS III wheeled armoured vehicle was showcased for the first time during the International Defense Exhibition IDEF which was held in May 2017 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Print screen of Oman National TV showing FNSS PARS III performing mobility and firing demonstration in Oman.

Under a contract signed in November 2015, the Turkish Company FNSS plans to deliver 172 armoured vehicles PARS III 6x6 and 8x8 chassis in 13 variants until 2020.

The different variants of PARS III wheeled armoured delivered to the Omani land Forces will include vehicles fitted with one-man turret armed with 25mm and 30mm automatic cannon, APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) with remotely operated weapon station armed with 12.7mm heavy machine gun, command post vehicles, 120mm mortar carrier, armoured ambulance, reconnaissance armoured, armoured recovery, NBC armoured and communication armoured.

PARS III 8X8 is the new generation of wheeled armored combat vehicle (WACV) designed and developed by FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.S. PARS III 8X8 has been developed with a special emphasis on mobility, protection, payload and growth potential. The vehicles employ the latest designs and technologies with a focus on the performance and durability of modern military operational requirements. The vehicles are available in 4x4, 6x6 and 8x8 configurations.

The PARS III 8X8 combat weight is 30,000 kg and is powered by a diesel engine. It can carry a total 12 military personnel including driver, commander, gunner and 9 infantrymen.

The PARS III 6x6 combat weight is 25,000 kg, and is propelled by a diesel engine. The powerpack consists of a water cooled diesel engine, coupled with a fully automatic transmission which generates a maximum road speed of up to 100 km/h. PARS III 6x6 is capable of maneuvering on 60% vertical and 30% horizontal slopes, climbing 70 cm-high obstacles and crossing 175 cm-wide trenches.