Ismail Demir, the head of the Defense Industry, announced on his social media account that Roketsan-produced Weapon Carrier Vehicles capable of firing OMTAS anti-tank missiles have been delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces.
WEAPON CARRIER VEHICLE (STA) PROJECT
The Armored Vehicle (ATA) Project aims to develop and produce domestically tracked and wheeled vehicles equipped with anti-tank missiles, as well as anti-tank missile turrets to be integrated into these vehicles. Due to the project's high ballistic and mine protection requirements, weight and dimensional limits, and amphibious needs, the tracked KAPLAN-STA and wheeled PARS-STA vehicles were developed as entirely new, mission-specific vehicles.
Unlike general-purpose 4x4 vehicles, PARS-STA is designed as a true wheeled tank destroyer, thanks to the mobility performance provided by the power pack located in the rear. The PARS-STA and KAPLAN-STA vehicles developed within the scope of the project underwent performance tests in various conditions on land and water for over a year, in all four seasons, and successfully completed their qualifications.
As part of the qualification activities, the anti-tank missile capabilities of the KORNET-E and OMTAS turrets were also tested and qualified. By the end of 2019, serial production of the vehicles was completed, and many vehicles were deployed to their duty stations throughout the country and put into use by the Turkish Armed Forces. In addition to anti-tank missiles, all vehicles are equipped with a 7.62 mm machine gun integrated into the turrets. The vehicles have superior survivability with their domestically produced armor system, and they also have the capability to operate in CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) environments.
Wheeled and tracked type STAs entered mass production in 2020, and deliveries will continue throughout 2021 and 2022.
