The Vuran is built on a conventional 4×4 wheeled arrangement giving excellent ground clearance, on-road and off-road travel.
BMC is one of Türkiye’s leading tactical armored vehicle manufacturers. The company is well known for its wide range of military vehicles, including tanks and armored vehicles, as well as commercial vehicles. The BMC is also one of several working on the production of Turkey’s first homegrown main battle tank, Altay. Vuran is among BMC’s best-selling military vehicles. This is a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle (MRAP), in service with the Turkish armed forces. It has also been exported to El Salvador, Kosovo, Libya, Tunisia, and Turkmenistan.
BMC has also designed and manufactured another highly regarded ambush protection vehicle, the Kirpi. The Vuran is smaller than Kirpi. In 2019 at least 90 of these armored vehicles were delivered to the Turkish military. Vuran is designed for use in areas where mine threat is present. It can perform various tasks, including guarding checkpoints, patrolling, convoy protection, reconnaissance and border security.
The Vuran is built on a conventional 4×4 wheeled arrangement giving excellent ground clearance, on-road and off-road travel. It has a V-shaped hull which deflects mine blasts away from the vehicle. Ballistic protection is against 5.56×45 mm ammunition and artillery shell splinters. However protection against 7.62×51 mm armor-piercing ammunition is also available.
Vuran has a mass of about 16 tons, a length of 6 meters, a width of 2.5 meters and a height of 2.8 meters. The crew of 2 includes the driver and gunner. The rear passenger compartment can accommodate up to five passengers. A powered ramp provides access from the rear. Also there are roof hatches for observation, firing, and emergency exit, if the vehicle is overturned.
Vuran is equipped with a 360 hp diesel engine, for a maximum speed of up to 110 km / h, and a range of 700 km. It can ford 1.2 meter bodies of water, climb 70% gradients, and 0.5 meter slopes. Crewmembers and passengers are seated on shock absorbing seats. Vehicle withstands blasts equivalent to around 6-8 kg of TNT anywhere under the hull. Also this armored vehicle can be fitted with a jamming system, which blocks signals that detonate roadside bombs.
Self-defense weapon is a remote-controlled 12.7 mm heavy machine gun. It comes in various configuration including multiple rocket launcher, mortar carrier, and ambulance. There are also several firing ports provided for the passengers to fire their individual weapons.
This mine protected vehicle saw action during recent conflicts where Turkish military was involved, including conflicts in Syria and Lybia. Turkey donated some of these armored vehicles to Libya. A couple of Vurans were delivered to Tunisia and Turkmenistan.
