SITDEF 2019: FNSS PARS III 8x8 armored vehicle first appearance in South America.

The PARS III 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle designed and manufactured by the Turkish Company FNSS presented for the first time in South America at SITDEF 2019, The International Exhibition of Technology for Defense and Prevention of Natural Disasters. The PARS III 8x8 is an improved version of the original PARS 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle developed, designed and manufactured by the Turkish Company FNSS.

FNSS PARS III 8x8 armored vehicle at SIDEF 2019, defense exhibition in Lima, Peru. May 18, 2019. (Picture source Army Recognition)

Since a few years, Peruvian armed forces are on the process to acquire a new wheeled armored vehicle. Towards the beginning of 2015, Peru was reported as looking to acquire 106 AFVs (Armored Fighting Vehicle) and 105 MBTs (Main Battle Tank) as part of its Army program Firepower. The project is part of the army’s modernization plan. It is also known to be prioritizing a new fleet of IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicle), but is undecided on a tracked or wheeled platform.

The Pars III makes it first appearance in May 2017 during the IDEF defense exhibition in Turkey. The PARS III 8x8 has a modular design uses a modular design offering the possibility to configure the vehicle for a full range of missions and in different types of configuration. The PARS III 8X8 can be transported by military transport aircraft as A400, C17 & C5, sea, train or land. In November 2017, the Oman National TV has announced the delivery of first PARS III to the Omani armed forces.

The PARS III 8X8 has a combat weight of 30,000 kg and has standard protection against firing of small arms and artillery shell splinters. The hull of the vehicle can be fitted with additional armor up to the level of protection required by the user thanks to the modular design armor system.

The PARS III has a crew of three including driver, commander and gunner and it can carry 9 infantrymen at the rear of the hull. The PARS III 8x8 can be fitted with a full range of weapon systems including remotely operated turret.