IDEX 2021: Otokar from Turkey displays Safa tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

At IDEX 2021, the International Land Defense Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Turkish company Otokar exhibits its Safa tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle fitted with Otokar-designed Mizrak-30 30mm cannon medium turret. The vehicle stands out with mobility, firepower and survivability features. Due to its modular design, Safa can be fitted with manned or unmanned weapon systems ranging from 7.62 mm to 120 mm as well as air defense and mortar systems.

Otokar Safa tracked armored IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle at IDEX 2021, International Land Defense Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Safa is the export version of the Tulpar, a tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) designed and manufactured by the Turkish company Otokar. that was unveiled in May 2013 during the IDEF defense exhibition in Turkey. It can be configured in a full range of variants as a personnel carrier, anti-tank, mortar, air defense, command and control, recovery, launch rocket system, ambulance, and reconnaissance vehicles.

Safa can serve in all kinds of combat environments from urban, built-up areas and light bridges to woodlands and all terrains, especially on soft surfaces where main battle tanks are unable to operate due to their heavyweights. Reliable and robust torsion bar suspension system consists of seven dual rubber-tire road wheels on each side. Safa has an Automatic Track Tensioning system that can adjust track tension for different road conditions to achieve outstanding mobility.

The multi-role, modular Safa series is designed as a platform to meet the users’ needs for a single platform to use in different missions. Tested in the toughest climates and on rough terrain, the vehicle boasts best-in-class ballistic and mine protection with a modular armor structure that can be configured and tailored as per specific user requirements. Safa, which can be integrated with active protection systems, has the capacity of carrying up to 9 infantry in addition to its crew of three (commander, gunner, and driver).

The Safa is motorized with a Scania DI 16 turbocharged diesel engine developing 800 hp. at 2,150 rpm coupled to a 32 speeds automatic transmission SAPA SG-850. The torsion bar suspension on each side consists of seven dual rubber-tired road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front, the idler at the rear. It can run at a maximum road speed of 70 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 600 km.

At IDEX 2021, the Safa was fitted with the Mizrak-30, an unmanned weapon station specially designed to be integrated on armored vehicles. The turret can be controlled by the commander and the gunner under armor protection. The turret is armed with one 30 mm dual-feed automatic cannon and one 7,62 mm coaxial machine gun. The cannon can fire all types of 30X173 mm NATO ammunition including armor-piercing and high explosive ammunition.

The Otokar MIZRAK-30 weapon station is equipped with the latest generation of a digital fire control system. The turret has an independent commander and gunner dual axes stabilized sights with the highest performance cooled thermal camera, CCD camera, laser range finder, and meteorological sensor with integrated GPS.

IDEX 2021: