Philippines signs contract for FNSS Sharpshooter turrets, Kunduz amphibious armored combat earthmovers

 

The FNSS Kunduz showing its amphibious capability. Photo c/o EDR Magazine Online.

Turkish defense company FNSS Defence Systems confirmed that they have signed contracts with the Philippine government for the supply and delivery of one-man turrets for integration and installation on armored vehicles, and the Kunduz amphibious armored combat earthmovers (AACE) for the Philippine Army (PA).

According to FNSS, the contract for the One-Man Turrets was signed on August 2020 under the Turkey-Philippines Defense Industry Cooperation Agreement, and involves the supply and installation of unspecified number of state-of-the-art turrets for armored vehicles.

The turrets are expected to be fully integrated to PA armored vehicles by October 2021, and the training and logistics support would be completed by December 2021.

While information was limited, Philippine defense website Philippine Defense Resource reported that the project involves the supply of the BAE Systems Sharpshooter manned turret, which is built under license by FNSS and is similar to those delivered by FNSS to Malaysia a few years ago.

The turrets are said to be for mounting on the PA's few ACV-300 tracked armored personnel carriers, which were delivered by FNSS to the PA in 2010. This would allow the conversion of the vehicles into proper infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) with day/night capability.

FNSS also confirmed that another contract was signed with the Philippines' Department of National Defense (DND) on November 2020, involving the supply and delivery of the FNSS Kunduz AACE.

The vehicles will be built in FNSS' facilities in Turkey, and are expected to be fully delivered by March 2023, with acceptance tests to be conducted in Turkey and the Philippines.

The Kunduz AACE is the only amphibious armored combat earthmover in the market, and would improve the combat engineering capabilities of the PA. 

Philippine Defense Resource confirmed that at least 6 vehicles were eyed by the PA as it acquires new Combat Engineering Equipment as part of its modernization program.



[1] European Defence Review
[2] Philippine Defense Review
[3] Anadolu Agency