Developed by FNSS as its first 8x8 engineering vehicle clears surface laid mines and threats found within the path of the full width of the vehicle, from roads, tracks and rough terrain to produce a cleared route for the infantry and follow-on vehicles. The PARS III 8x8 Engineering Vehicle can effectively fulfil a wide range of missions owing to its ability to have equipment and hardware rapidly mounted and dismounted from its chassis. With different equipment and hardware equipped, the vehicle can execute the following types of missions, aimed at enhancing the mobility and operational capabilities of friendly forces and units:
- Removal of obstacles/barriers, clearing paths, maintenance of roads used in combat;
- Clearing paths through minefields to ensure the continued movement of friendly units;
- Construction of communication and defence posts, taking measures against surveillance (concealment), construction of mock-up facilities,
- and enemy deception to increase the survivability of units;
The contract signed by FNSS to meet the needs of the Royal Army of Oman covers the design, development, production and delivery of a total of 172 vehicles in 13 different configurations, as well as the integrated logistics support (ILS) services to be provided throughout the guarantee period. While 145 of these vehicles will be PARS III 8x8 vehicles delivered in eight different configurations, the remaining 27 will be the PARS III 6x6 vehicles delivered in five different configurations. The total number of PARS III 8x8 Engineering Vehicles will be six.
K. Nail Kurt, General Manager and CEO of FNSS, emphasised how the PARS III 8x8 Engineering Vehicle represents one of the best examples of FNSS’ ability to develop vehicles of different configurations. “Engineering vehicles are one of the most challenging and special vehicle configurations. These vehicles require extensive engineering work beforehand, and you need to analyse in advance the different scenarios of use of the vehicle, down to the finest details. In the PARS III 8x8 Engineering Vehicle, we went a step further in these challenges and came up with a design that allows different equipment and hardware to be readily mounted and dismounted. This vehicle, which has been developed in accordance with the high standards expected by the Royal Army of Oman, is likely to have strong export potential for different countries in the near future,” Kurt said.