FNSS' Zaha amphibious armored combat vehicle to be showcased with 2 new systems from firm's Caka family at International Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul, strengthening vehicle's export prospect
New weapon configurations for the Turkish company's FNSS Zaha Marine Assault Vehicle (MAV), which has been serving the Turkish Armed Forces, will be showcased at the International Defense Industry Fair, or IDEF 2025.
The amphibious armored combat vehicle acts as a link between land and sea forces to enable rapid and safe deployment of troops with high mobility, particularly in an island environment or along difficult-to-access coastal areas.
The firm delivered the CAKA remote-controlled turret systems, which include 12.7-milimeter machine guns and 40-milimeter grenade launchers, to the Turkish Navy in 2023. FNSS then turned the CAKA family into a product line.
The CAKA 30/AT-O, a new member of the family, will be showcased alongside the Zaha vehicle in Istanbul. The new addition is equipped with a homegrown Canik Venom LR 30-milimeter automatic cannon, as well as two Roketsan OMTAS anti-tank missiles.
Additionally, FNSS' CAKA AT-K configuration will also be showcased -- the turret variant is equipped with a homegrown CANIK M2 QCB 12.7-milimeter machine gun and two of Roketsan's short-range anti-tank missile system, Karaok.
The two CAKA members feature a lightweight design, and can be easily integrated into wheeled tracked land vehicles, manned and unmanned surface vehicles, coast guard vessels and assault boats.
Serkan Balbay, director of Vetronics and Weapon Systems at FNSS, told Anadolu that the Zaha project was contracted in 2017 and the vehicle enhances the Turkish Navy.
“Zaha's dual weapon system is highly capable to meet the Turkish Navy's needs,” he said. “The Caka AT anti-tank weapon system we will be showcasing can carry two anti-tank missiles along with a 30-milimeter homegrown gun with a missile guidance system, providing our naval forces with superior capabilities.”
“With the reveal of this weapon system, Zaha's export opportunity is strengthening, while negotiations are currently ongoing,” he added. “We hope to see Zaha in the inventories of foreign forces in the near future.”
