FNSS Defence Systems

FNSS Savunma Sistemleri (FNSS Defence Systems Inc.)
	File:FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. (logo).jpg
Company type	Public limited company
Industry	Defence
Founded	1988
Headquarters	Gölbaşı, Ankara, Turkey
Area served	Worldwide
Products	Tracked and Wheeled Armored Combat Vehicles Weapon Systems
Services	Upgrade & Modernisation ; Integrated Logistic Support Services
Website	www.fnss.com.tr

Establishment

While the Defense Industry Development and Support Administration (later Undersecretariat for Defense Industries -“SSM”) was established through Law no 3238 dated 7 November 1985, the first steps were already taken months ago for establishment of FNSS and the framework of the joint venture was determined through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 24 July 1986 between Nurol İnşaat ve Ticaret A.Ş. and FMC Corporation (a former BAE Systems company).

The first major defense project handled by SSM after its establishment has been the “Armored Combat Vehicle Project”, which has stipulated manufacturing of tracked Armored Combat Vehicles in Turkey in order to meet the requirement of Turkish Armed Forces, the request for proposal has been issued on 18 July 1986 and the first proposals have been submitted on 27 October 1986. As a result of the negotiations held between FMC and Nurol, a “Joint Venture Agreement” has been signed on 1 July 1987 and the name “FMC - Nurol Savunma Sanayii A.Ş. (FNSS)” became the official name. According to this agreement, 51 % of FNSS would be owned by FMC and 49 % by Nurol.

First Project

The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries has announced in February 1988 that the tender is finalized and contract negotiations shall be started with FNSS and as a result of the negotiations, the contract has been signed on 23 May 1988 in the presence of the Esteemed Prime Minister Turgut Özal. Manufacturing of around 1700 vehicles within 10 years in Turkey has been stipulated in the contract signed with a value more than one billion US Dollars.

Right after signing the contract, the transactions related to foreign capital are finalized, the transactions related to establishment of the company are started and the establishment of FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş is registered on 31 August 1988 by Ankara Trade Registration Office.

The transactions related to entry of the contract into force, which have been carried out in parallel to company establishment transactions have been finalized in spring months and the contract has entered into force on 15 August 1989 through a ceremony held upon participation of SSM, FNSS and the invited persons and establishments.

The Armored Combat Vehicle Project, which is described as the first major defense project of Turkey is also known as the first major project completed successfully. It has also became the project that has set the standards of this sector in Turkey.

Company Structure

Certain changes have been experienced by time in the partnership structure of FNSS. In 1994, FMC Corporation has merged its activities in the field of Defense Industry with BMY - Harsco, which is another defense company residing in USA, and the newly formed company is called as United Defense LP (UDLP). In 1997, United Defense LP is acquired by Carlyle Group and FMC Corporation is withdrawn from the field of defense.

As FNSS did not have any more relationship with FMC Corporation due to such change, the name of the company, which was “FMC - Nurol Savunma Sanayii A.Ş. (FNSS)” as of the date of its establishment, has been changed as “FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. “ as of 1997.

Pursuant to an agreement reached among the partners in October 2005, the capital structure of the company has been changed as 51 % Nurol Holding A.Ş and 49 % UDLP and the world giant BAE Systems has acquired the shares of UDLP in the same year. Thus, the majority in the share structure has passed to the Turks.

Exports

FNSS realized its first export to the United Arab Emirates in 1997 and sold 133 ACVs to this country. With this sale, Turkey has, for the first time, exported a defense product to another country on main system basis.

3 Afterwards, 211 units have been sold to Malaysia in 2000 as a result of many years’ efforts and this export project has been Turkey’ biggest main system export realized at one time until the date. Technology transfer has also been realized to Malaysia through the same project. A new contract covering 56 Armored Combat Vehicles in different configurations has been signed in 2008.

The first export contract within the framework of Armored Vehicle Modernization activities has been signed with Saudi Arabia in 2004 and modernization of various types of M113 Armored Personnel Carriers of Royal Saudi Land Forces are being realized in Al - Kharj Maintenance and Repair facilities of Royal Saudi Armed Forces. The management of Al - Kharj facilities is also carried out by FNSS under the project.

Furthermore, FNSS is realizing vehicle modernization projects with Philippines and Bahrain and it is providing logistics and technical support services for M113 and ACV type vehicles for Belgium and United Arab Emirates armies.

FNSS recently signed a master agreement with its Malaysian partner Deftech for the development and production of 257 each Malaysian AV8 (8x8) Armored Wheeled Vehicles in 12 configurations. The vehicle is based on PARS 8x8 WAV technology.

Original Products

As of 2000 FNSS has renewed itself and started developing the design structure that shall develop original land platforms.

The wheeled armored vehicles developed by FNSS have been added in short time to its tracked armored combat vehicles which attract attention in the world market, and it has added the Tactical Wheeled Armored Vehicle (TWAV) family (6 x 6 and 8 x 8) called PARS to its product portfolio. Institutions and universities like ITU, TUBITAK, ODTU have played a role as solution partner in development of PARS vehicle family.

This family of vehicles, which have features not existing in competing vehicles in its class, is marketed in many countries.

FNSS has taken the first step to success upon development of PARS TWAV vehicle and has been awarded by SSM with development and manufacturing of Armored Amphibious Assault Bridge (AAAB) project requested by Turkish Armed Forces. The MFAB being developed on PARS platform has become the most improved system existing in the world and FNSS has started marketing this new product to the Armies of the World.

Within this framework, FNSS has developed an Armored Amphibious Combat Earthmover for Turkish Armed Forces through AACE (AZMİM) project and it has delivered it in a short time.

Another capability of FNSS is the development and production of turrets and weapon stations. The company has developed and is producing a single - person Sharpshooter turret, which is fitted with a 25 - mm cannon and a co -axially mounted 7.62 mm weapon, which is stabilized and equipped with modern night vision system. The design and development works for 25 / 30 mm CLAW Remote Controlled Turret are currently being carried out jointly with Aselsan A.Ş.

FNSS, which is capable of designing and developing the most complex land platforms, including the Main Battle Tank is now the leading company among all kinds of land platform design and development companies in Turkey.

FNSS, which was established in 1988 for Armored Combat Vehicle production, has adopted the philosophy of working as an element of Turkish Land Power, along with our Land Forces and has succeeded in becoming a National Organization that may design and produce various land systems within a wide range of products and that may provide relevant training and logistics support. FNSS is now developing the most complex systems required by Turkish Armed Forces without having foreign technical support and adding them to its product portfolio. FNSS became known throughout the world markets in a short time with the works it has performed and has contributed to exports with its billions of dollars of sales, which is important for our country.

In the next decade, FNSS shall proceed by developing its powerful position in world market in the field of tracked and wheeled Armored Vehicles.

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