Indonesia prepares for local production of FNSS Zaha amphibious assault vehicle
The FNSS Zaha. Photo c/o FNSS. |
Indonesian defense company PT Pindad has entered into an agreement with Turksih defense company FNSS for the potential production of the Zaha amphibious assault vehicle in Indonesia.
Both companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 20 April 2022, with PT Pindad President Abraham Mose and FNSS Country Manager Tolgo Sipahi, and was witnessed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, as well as several high-ranking defense and military officials.
The signing of the MoU coincides with the launching of Indonesia’s Defense Industry Strategic Program that will strengthen the country’s defense industry in line with its goal to reduce reliance on importing foreign-made weapon systems, while improving its defense technology and manufacturing capabilities.
The Zaha Marine Assault Vehicle is a new amphibious armored vehicle developed by FNSS and was launched in 2019 to meet the requirements of the Turkish Naval Forces as well as for export market.
The vehicle has 3 crew members and capacity for 21 dismounted troops, and was designed with enhanced ballistic and mine protection features, and is capable of launched from amphibious assault ships.
It is armed with a remote-controlled weapon station that can be equipped with a 12.7mm heavy machinegun and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, and has day and night operations capability with assistance from thermal sighting system.
The Zaha amphibious assault vehicle is aimed to meet the Indonesian Navy’s requirement for new Amphibious Landing and Amphibious Recovery armored vehicles for the Indonesian Marine Corps.
PT Pindad also signed an agreement with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence on the development and production of Small Calibre Munitions for the production of 5.56mm, 7.62mm and 12.7mm munitions for the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI).
[1] PT Pindad
[2] TurDef Turkish Defense News
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