BMC Vuran (Striker)

History

The "Vuran," which translates to "Forward," is a domestically produced Mine and Ambush-Proof (MRAP) vehicle designed for rapid attack and troop support in modern battlefields. It was introduced in 2019 and has already seen combat service in contentious environments such as the second Libyan civil war (2014-2020) and Turkey's brief invasion of Syria in 2019.

The Turkish Army and Gendarmerie General Command currently employ this vehicle, and it has also been procured by the armed forces of Kosovo, Libya, and Tunisia (pending assessment).

Weighing 16 tonnes, the Vuran features a conventional 4x4 wheel arrangement to ensure excellent ground clearance (345mm) and facilitate travel on both on-road and off-road terrains. The large street tires are strategically positioned at the corners of the vehicle, providing optimal traction in all conditions, even when punctured.

Under the hood, a 360 hp diesel engine powers the Vuran, while horizontal shutters are installed on the engine surface for cooling. The vehicle boasts an impressive operational range of up to 1,000 km at road speeds of up to 100 km/h.

In terms of dimensions, the Vuran has a barrel length of 6 meters, a width of 2.5 meters, and a height of 2.8 meters. It can wade through water up to 1.2 meters deep, traverse inclines with a 70% gradient, and surmount drops of up to 0.5 meters.

The driver can access the front compartment through a car-style door, and a powered ramp at the rear allows for easy entry and exit. The Vuran can accommodate up to five passengers, and various "Pioneer" equipment such as shovels and pickaxes can be securely fastened to the sides of the hull.

As an MRAP, the Vuran offers enhanced protection with its blast-resistant V-shaped hull bottom, meeting the STANAG 4569 level 3 armor standard. Additionally, bulletproof windows are further safeguarded by screens positioned above them, offering defense against missile attacks. These screens are also mounted above the headlights.

Typically, the Vuran is equipped with a 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) or a similar overhead-mounted weapon system controlled by a Remote Weapon Station (RWS). However, this MRAP variant also includes a mortar mount on the fuselage's top, featuring a split hinged door (Kosovo has procured four units of this model).

Specification

Foundation

• Year of Service: 2019

• Origins: Turkey

• Status: Active

• Crew: 2

• Production: 1,500

Manufacturer

Otomotiv Sanayi ve Ticaret AS (BMC) Turkey

Operator

Kosovo; Libya; Tunisia (assessment); Turkmenistan (assessment); Turkey

Rolling

Amphibious Assault

Cross open water under your own power with or without preparation.

Infantry Support

Support allied ground forces using weapons, inherent capabilities, and/or shipborne systems.

Armored vehicles

Designed, usually lightweight, to provide on-road/off-road capability for reconnaissance or general security roles.

MRAP

Designed to resist mine and ambush attacks with special design and survivability.

Recon

Can perform reconnaissance/reconnaissance missions to assess threat levels, enemy strength, etc. - usually due to lightweight construction.

Utilities

Generally user-centered design to perform various battlefield missions, usually in an indirect combat fashion.

Special designs developed to fulfill one or more equally special battlefield roles.

Highlights

Tire layout

The wheeled arrangement gives the system inherent road capability and improved maneuverability.

Remote Weapon Station (RWS)

The vehicle supports a remote-controlled weapon station, reducing the exposure of the crew to external threats.

Drive-through owner weapon

The weapon is located in the traversing module, which can counter the threat of the enemy in all directions.

Amphibious

The system can enter and traverse open water sources - rivers, lakes and streams; supports amphibious assault operations.

Cross-country skiing

The design includes features like a chain linkage system or high ground clearance for better traversing of terrain.

Improved armor protection

Increased protection by installing additional armor on top of the standard grade; old-design steel plates and modern types of reactive armor.

ABC Protection

Crew are protected (standard or optional) by nuclear biological and chemical agents to improve survivability in contaminated areas.

Smoke shield

The vehicle itself can generate a smoke screen either through fired projectiles or built-in engine function (raw fuel injection).

Night Vision

Night vision equipment is available to the crew to allow operation in low light conditions or at night.

Available for air defense/air defense

The system will receive an air defense component to protect itself from low-flying threats from afar.

Anti-Infantry

Vehicles have built-in anti-infantry capabilities for local vehicle defense or general troop suppression.

Troop Transport Vehicle

Vehicles (or variants thereof) have inherent troop transport capabilities and provide protective cover for allies boarding ships in disputed areas.

Remote Weapon Station

The vehicle supports an unmanned weapons station that is securely remotely controlled from the vehicle.

Versatility

The vehicle's proven chassis and overall configuration are ideal for other battlefield roles through special design.

Dimensions and Weight

• Length: 19.7 feet (6m)

• Width: 9. 2 feet (2.8m)

• Height: 8. 2 feet (2.5m)

• Weight: 32,000 lbs (14,515 kg)

• Tonnage: 16.0 tons

Power and Performance

• Engine: 1 x 360 hp diesel engine driving conventional 4x4 four-wheel drive.

• Speed: 68.4 km/h (110.0 km/h)

• Area: 621. 4 miles (1,000.0 km)

Weapons

1 x 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun (HMG), Remote Weapon Station (RWS) on the roof. Also a personal weapon carried by the crew.

AMMOTION

500 x 12.7mm ammo (estimated).

VARIANTS

Vuran - The name of the base series. Vuran 120mm - Mortar carrier with roof with slotted doors (openable).