Turkhis Made OTOKAR Yavuz 8x8 Armored Personnel Carrier

The Otokar Yavuz 8x8 has a crew of two and can carry up to 12 fully equipped troops. A number of occupants carried is reduced if vehicle is fitted with a turret-mounted armament. Up to 11 tons of cargo can be carried in place of the infantrymen. Troops enter and leave vehicle through the rear ramp or roof hatches. Commander and driver are provided with separate roof hatches.

The Otokar Yavuz 8x8 is armed with  remotely controlled 12.7-mm machine gun or 40-mm automatic grenade launcher. Vehicle is also offered with various armament, including  20- or 30-mm cannons. Armor of the Yavuz provides all-round protection against 7.62-mm armor-piercing rounds. Frontal arc protects from 12.7-mm armor-piercing rounds. Vehicle has a V-shaped hull, which provides improved protection against landmines. It is claimed that this armored personnel carrier can withstand a 12 kg TNT blast under any wheel.
In 2002 Otokar acquired a trailer and semi-trailer production company from Koç Group Company of Istanbul Fruehauf A.S. Later in 2002, with its experience in public transportation Otokar developed the small bus called the Navigo which is marketed in Turkey with Sultan brand. In 2003, Otokar initiated a cooperation with Singapore Technologies Kinetics (STK) for the new 8x8 tactical armored vehicle Otokar-Yavuz. In 2005 Otokar widened its line of armored vehicles.

 

On March 30, 2007, Turkey's "Defence Industries Executive Committee", the joint, government-military, body on major defence industry projects and contracts, decided for the country's "Undersecretariat for Defence Industry" to launch negotitations with Otokar on the eventual contractural agreement to develop and produce Turkey's first indigenous tank. These negoations began on April 6, 2007.

Various weapon systems can be fitted on the roof, including a remote weapon station armed with a 40mm automatic grenade launcher and a 7.62mm coaxial machine CAKE or a complete stabilized turret armed with a 25mm M242 Bushmaster cannon and 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. Additional 7.62mm machine guns can be mounted over the rear troop compartment. In addition, the vehicle can be configured to carry varying combat payloads - from turreted weapon stations (including 105 mm tank guns) to rocket launchers. The modular top deck allows for quick configuration change.