Turkish army receives new FNSS ZMA-15 tracked armored IFVs to replace the old ACV-15

In the framework of the Turkish Ministry of Defense program ZMA, the Turkish army received a new modernized version of its FNSS ACV-15 tracked armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle), called ZMA-15, fitted with a new unmanned weapon station NEFER 25mm designed and manufactured by the Turkish company Aselsan.

The ZMA Modernization Project was initiated by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) in cooperation with Turkish companies ASELSAN and FNSS to meet the needs of the Turkish Land Forces Command. FNSS is the manufacturer of the vehicle while Aselsan has developed and designed the new turret.

The ACV-15 is a light combat tracked armored vehicle that was developed, designed and manufactured by the Turkish Company FNSS Savunma Sistemleri to meet the requirement of the Turkish Army for a heavily armored vehicle in the 13-15t class that is able to operate alongside tanks in a combined arms team. The first production vehicles were delivered to the Turkish army in 1992.

The ZMA-15 is an improved version of the ACV-15 in terms of protection and firepower. It maintains the general design of the original ACV-15 but is fitted with the new 25mm NEFER turret manufactured by the Turkish company Aselsan.

The ZMA-15 used the same tracked chassis and hull design of the ACV-15 consisting on either side of five dual rubber-tired road wheels with the drive sprocket at the front and the idler at the rear. There are no track-return rollers. The hull of the ACV-15 IFV is made of welded aluminum armor with an additional layer of spaced laminate steel armor bolted onto the hull. it provides protection against the firing of small arms 14.5mm AP and up to 8 kg of TNT explosive.

The ZMA-15 is fitted with an improved armor package, spall liner suppression systems, and warning receivers. The vehicle is also fitted with new electronic vision devices that increase situational awareness.

The ZMA-15 is now fitted with the Aselsan NEFER remotely operated weapon station that replaces the one-man turret mounted on the ACV-15. The turret is armed with one 25mm M242 automatic cannon and one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. She has shoot-on-the-move capability against stationary or moving targets.

The NEFER turret is also equipped with day/night imaging systems, an automatic tracking target system, a laser range finder, and computerized ballistic firing control. The turret is protected to the Level II STANAG 4569 against ballistic threats of 7.62mm API (Armor-Piercing Incendiary) caliber.