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The Turkish Army has taken delivery of PARS 8x8 Scout (Izci) vehicles in a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) reconnaissance configuration, marking the first time such specialized vehicles have entered the Turkish Land Forces Command inventory.
FNSS announced the delivery following completion of acceptance tests.
The development was also confirmed during the Ministry of National Defense's weekly press briefing on Feb. 5.
Ministry of National Defense Press and Public Relations Adviser and Spokesperson Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk said: "The Land Forces Command has completed inspection and acceptance activities for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear reconnaissance vehicles, which have been added to the inventory for the first time."
According to an interesting information shared by a prominent defense industry account on X, Catfish Blues (@Catfishtheblues), "Türkiye, twenty years ago, produced and exported CBRN reconnaissance vehicles for Slovenia via the Otokar Cobra, but hadn't added them to its own inventory."
"Vehicles with amphibious capabilities and NBC protection were equipped with chemical, biological, nuclear detectors, and a meteorology station. They were well-equipped reconnaissance vehicles for their time," he noted.
The PARS 8x8 Scout CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle features remote detection capability, radiation detection capability and the ability to detect and identify chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial materials and biological warfare agents.
The vehicle is equipped with a CBRN collective protection system that provides positive pressure inside the vehicle and masked breathing support.
This collective protection system is designed in accordance with NATO AEP-54 standards.
For self-defense, the vehicle is equipped with a remote-controlled, stabilized weapon system that can mount either a 40mm automatic grenade launcher or a 12.7mm or 7.62mm machine gun, depending on user requirements.
The PARS 8x8 Scout CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle is designed for a six-person CBRN reconnaissance team consisting of a driver, vehicle commander and two CBRN operators. An additional crew seat has been added to increase operational capability and crew flexibility during the collection and transport of chemical and biological samples for advanced analysis.
The deliveries fall under the Special Purpose Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicles Project (OMTTZA) contract, signed in 2019 between the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and FNSS.
In the project's first phase, vehicles in five different configurations will be developed using a domestic development model, with a total of 100 vehicles to be produced.
Under the project, the Land Forces Command will receive command and radar vehicles, as well as sensor and CBRN reconnaissance vehicles, while the Gendarmerie General Command will receive armored combat vehicles.
The PARS 8x8 Scout vehicles represent the first 8x8 armored combat vehicles to enter the Turkish Armed Forces (TurAF) inventory. Deliveries that began in 2025 are expected to continue at an increased pace in 2026.
The PARS Scout 8x8, as a member of the PARS wheeled armored fighting vehicle line, is designed for use in both low and high-intensity scenarios.
The vehicle reaches a maximum road speed of 100 kilometers per hour and can maneuver on 60% vertical and 30% side slopes, and can climb obstacles up to 0.7 meters high.
Protection consists of modular armor, ballistic glass for the driver with a 230-degree view, run-flat tires and a self-recovery winch.
The PARS 8x8 Scout also serves as the basis for Roketsan's Gurz gun and missile air defense system, pairing a 20mm or 30x113mm cannon with Sungur short-range air defense missiles and AESA radars.
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