At the Istanbul defence exhibition BMC, the producer of the Altay Turkish MBT, unveiled a 4×4 armoured cargo and personnel transport vehicle named Turan, which is already in low rate initial production for the Turkish Land Forces
The Turan 4×4 is a monocoque vehicle with a V-hull ensuring protection against mines and underbelly blast, ground clearance being 320 mm; the four-door cabin hosts four military the ballistic protection level remaining classified. The chassis was designed and is being produced by BMC in its Izmir facility, where all the company wheeled vehicles are manufactured, tracked platforms being produced in the Sakarya and Ankara facilities.
The Turan is 5,600 mm long, 2,515 mm wide without mirrors, and 2,530 mm high, its combat mass being over 11 tonnes. It is powered by a Cummins 340 hp diesel engine coupled to an Allison 3200 automatic transmission with six forward and one reverse gear. Axles and the two-speed transfer case are provided by Base, a Turkish company based in Kocaeli. The version seen at the Istanbul Expo Centre was the cargo one, which has a compartment at the rear that can carry up to 750 kg or, should an emergency situation require it, five more personnel. Fitted with independent suspensions, these ensure good cross country capability, while maximum speed on road is 105 km/h while range is 650 km. The vehicle uses 365/80 R20 or 11×20 tires fitted with run-flat inserts, the central tire inflation system being installed as standard.
The new BMC 4×4 vehicle can climb a 70% gradient, move on a 30% side slope, and ford a water course 700mm deep.
The Turan is fitted as standard with fire suppression system, both in the crew and engine compartments, air conditioning and heating system, independent heater, and driver information system.
BMC has completed qualification and is now in the low rate initial production phase, five vehicles being manufactured, which will be followed by 50 more that will be provided to the Turkish Land Forces (TLF). EDR On-Line understood the service will mostly use them for patrolling the most sensitive borders, in those areas where bigger vehicles have issues in coping with difficult roads. The cargo version is the base for installing a telescopic mast carrying surveillance sensors, and a generator, that will allow operating the surveillance suite with the engine cut. The company expects soon the signature of another contract for 100 more vehicles.
Beside the TLF, the Turkish Jandarma should also acquire the Turan in different versions, one of them equipped with a remotely controlled weapon station. BMC is obviously promoting its new 4×4 armoured vehicle also on the export market, no further information being available yet on possible customers.
Photos by P. Valpolini