MAV, During the beach landing phase of an amphibious operation, these vehicles are launched from landing helicopter docks (LHD) and are able to rapidly cover the distance between the vessel and shore, allowing marine units to land under armor protection with the minimum delay. Once on land, they are able to operate alongside with other armored vehicles.
New information about the Marine Assault Vehicle, (Zırhlı Amfibi Hücum Aracı – ZAHA) project, which is carried out in order to use in multi-purpose amphibious assault ship TCG Anadolu was shared on the We Visionary platform by FNSS Defence Systems Inc. General Manager and CEO Nail Kurt .
Nail Kurt stated that they used the knowledge of maritime in MAV project and they worked with academics working in ITU Naval Architecture. Stating that the only equivalent of MAV, which is specially designed for the multi-purpose marine assault vehicle, is the AAV7 platform of US; Kurt also underlined that AAV7 is the product of BAE Systems with which they have business partnership. Kurt indicated that they can take the licence from BAE Systems and produce in Turkey; however, Presidency of Defence Industries does not want licenced-production but wants an original and nation platform.
Kurt says that they competed against Otokar and won the tender initiated by Presidency of Defence Industries and that Turkey is the second country after USA which is able to produce such an advanced platform. Underlining that the US has superiorities over the AAV7 vehicle, Kurt announced that the first prototype is ready.
Explaining that the first Marine Assault Vehicle – ZAHA’s sea tests have been continuing successfully, Kurt said that they aim to complete all sea tests in 2021 and arrange the calendar in this direction. He also stated that they plan to deliver the first Marine Assault Vehicle – ZAHA to the Turkish Navy in early 2022 after completing the sea tests in 2021.
