FNSS of Turkey, a joint venture between BAE Systems Inc. and Nurol Holding of Turkey, has received and signed a $559 million letter of offer and acceptance (LoA) from DEFTECH of Malaysia for the design, development and manufacture of 257 DEFTECH AV-8 8×8 wheeled armored vehicles and Integrated Logistics Support for the Malaysian armed forces.
The vehicle, to be manufactured by DEFTECH in Malaysia, is based on the FNSS-designed PARS 8×8 multi-purpose, multi-mission, wheeled armored vehicle, the joint venture said in a statement Friday. The vehicle will be redesigned by FNSS and DEFTECH engineers specifically to meet Malaysian requirements.
“This effort will not only benefit the Malaysian Army, but will also further develop the indigenous capability in Malaysia,” said John Kelly, vice president of exports and international business for BAE Systems’ Land & Armaments sector. “BAE Systems Inc. actively looks to support FNSS in its ambition to market its land vehicle expertise globally.”
Malaysia’s AV-8 8×8 armored wheeled vehicle program involves the local design, development and manufacture of the vehicle, as well as the integrated logistic support. FNSS will provide the technical assistance and technology transfer to enable DEFTECH to produce the vehicles in Malaysia. The AV-8 will be Malaysia’s first indigenous 8×8 armored wheeled vehicle family consisting of 12 variants, for use by the Malaysian army.
Nail Kurt, general manager and CEO of FNSS, said, “FNSS is committed to providing the means for DEFTECH to realize the goal of developing an 8×8 Wheeled Armored Vehicle Family (AV8) to meet the Malaysia Armed Forces requirements. The project is based on putting in place the infrastructure to design, develop, produce and maintain a family of 8×8 Wheeled Armored Vehicles.”
FNSS and DEFTECH previously delivered 211 ADNAN Armored Combat Vehicles (ACV) and 8 120mm ACV Mortar Carriers to the Malaysian army and are now about to complete the deliveries of 48 additional ADNAN ACVs under a separate contract.