Philippines Buys Combat Armoured Bulldozer From Turkey For Amphibious Warfare

Turkey’s FNSS Savunma Sistemleri (FNSS) has been awarded a contract to provide an undisclosed number of Kunduz Armoured Combat Earthmovers (AACEs) to the Philippine military, according to a 10 February report by the Turkish state-owned Anadolu Agency (AA).

The media outlet quoted FNSS General Manager Nail Kurt as saying that the order placed by the Philippines will mark the first export of the Kunduz AACE, adding that other contracts may also be signed as “the Philippines also need similar products.”

“Turkey will export an armored amphibious combat earthmover called the Kunduz to the Philippines in 2021,” the exporting company said.

“They also need similar products. In this process, we may sign new contracts,” Mr. Kurt added.

Kunduz or AZMİM is a Turkish tracked amphibious combat engineering armoured bulldozer designed for the preparation of river banks during river-crossing missions.

Unique of its art in the world, the heavy equipment was developed and produced in less than four years of work for the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) by the Turkish company FNSS Defence Systems.

Kunduz will be operated to move earth, clear terrain obstacles, cut steep slopes and stabilize stream banks for easy river crossing of combat vehicles during amphibious warfare.

It is capable of doing bulldozing, rough grading, excavating, hauling, and scraping, according to the company.

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Tests also showed that it is resistant to land mines and armour-piercing shot and shell.

Kunduz is equipped with a daylight camera system, night vision device, multi-purpose LED display and air conditioner.

The tracked vehicle can accompany other military combat vehicles without the need of a carrier thanks to its max. speed of 45 km/h (28 mph). 

Two installed pump-jets enable the amphibious bulldozer to conduct 360 degrees turning movement in rip current waters.

Source: PNA