BMC Amazon
| BMC Amazon | |
|---|---|
| Type | Mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle |
| Place of origin | Turkey |
| Service history | |
| Used by | See operators |
| Wars | SDF-Syrian transitional government clashes (2025-present) |
| Production history | |
| Designer | BMC Otomotiv |
| Manufacturer | BMC Otomotiv |
| Specifications | |
| Height | 400mm |
| Passengers | 7 |
| Maximum speed | 120km/h |
The BMC Amazon is a mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle (MRAP) manufactured and designed by BMC Otomotiv for use in the Turkish Armed Forces, though it has also seen usage in neighboring and regional countries as well.
Design
The BMC Amazon base model uses a unibody design with a V-shaped hull for its underbody, and is equipped with an automatic fire extinguisher system, run-flat tires, rear-view cameras, alongside dimming and camouflage lighting features. The base model BMC Amazon also has a capacity of seven passengers, and according to BMC, 'meets STANAG 4569 protection levels', though a specific description was not stated.[1]
Variants
BMC Amazon Ottonom (4x4)
The Ottonom variant of the BMC Amazon, in addition to features already included in the base model, is also capable of maneuvering through rough terrain alongside being equipped with a drone.[1]
BMC Amazon 4x4 RCS
The BMC Amazon RCS is a remote-controllable variant of the BMC Amazon, specifically used for 'residential and asymmetric battlefields'.[1]
Operators
Non-state users
- Northern Cyprus - Donated by Turkey in 2023, operated by local Police Special Operations teams.[2][3][4]
State users
- Qatar - 35 units purchased in 2018 for Qatari Emiri Land Force.[5]
- Syria - operated by various branches of the Syrian Armed Forces under the command of the Syrian transitional government. First seen in use in large quantities during clashes with the Syrian Democratic Forces.[6][7][8]
- Turkey - In use with Turkish Land Forces and Police Special Operations Department.[9][10][11]
- Turkmenistan - Variants equipped with Aselsan Dual SARP remote controlled weapon station were spotted in use with the State Border Service of Turkmenistan in 2018.[12]
References
- ^ a b c "General - BMC". General - BMC. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
- ^ "Türkiye'den KKTC polisine silah, zırhlı araç ve ekipman desteği".
- ^ http://www.trthaber.com/haber/dunya/turkiyeden-kktc-polisine-silah-zirhli-arac-ve-ekipman-destegi-757210
- ^ "Türkiye Emniyet Genel Müdürlüğü, Polis Genel Müdürlüğü'ne 2 araç ve çeşitli teçhizat hibe etti".
- ^ "Kirpi II ve Amazon ihracat yolculuğuna başladı".
- ^ http://x.com/barracudavol1/status/2012826215476846889
- ^ http://x.com/military_ostx/status/2013198024625844536
- ^ http://x.com/conflicttr/status/2013549195878150164
- ^ "Kıbrıs'taki birliklerden HERİKKS-VI ile tatbikat". 17 January 2022.
- ^ "Barbaros Toprakoğlu on Twitter".
- ^ "Aybars on Twitter".
- ^ http://www.armyrecognition.com/march_2018_global_defense_security_army_news_industry/turkish_bmc_vuran_amazon_armoured_now_in_service_with_turkmenistan
- ^ "BMC Kirpi Amazon Vuran armoured vehicles IDEF 2017 11505171 | IDEF 2017 Online Show Daily News | Defence security military exhibition 2017 daily news category". armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 2020-01-18.