Katmerciler Hızır Explained

Hızır / Ateş
Is Vehicle:yes
Designer:Katmerciler
Aselsan
Manufacturer:Katmerciler
Weight:16.000 kg (both versions)
Length:5570 mm (Hızır), 6000 mm (Ateş)
Width:2490 mm (Hızır), 2500 mm (Ateş)
Height:2610 mm (Hızır), 2600 mm (Ateş)
Crew:2 (commander, driver)
Passengers:7 (Hızır), 4 (Ateş)
Armour:STANAG 4569 Level 2
Primary Armament:(optional) 7.62 mm caliber medium machine gun, or 12.7mm caliber heavy machine gun or 40 mm caliber grenade launcher (all operated from inside the vehicle through a remote-controlled system designed by Aselsan)
Engine:Cummins ISL 8.9-liter, inline-six cylinder, turbocharged, intercooled diesel
Engine Power:400 PS (298 kW) @ 2100 rpm
Maximum Torque:1550 Nm @ 1100-1440 rpm -->
Speed:120 km/h
Vehicle Range:700 km (435 miles) at cruising speed
Emission Level:Euro-3 -->
Transmission:six-speed, fully automatic Allison 3000 Series
Suspension:fully independent with coil springs and shock absorbers
Clearance:410 mm
Steering:power-assisted, front axle
Gradeability:70% (Hızır), 60% (Ateş) -->
Used By:Turkish Armed Forces

The Katmerciler Hızır (pronounced as /tr/) is a family of MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) armoured personnel carriers designed and produced by Turkish company Katmerciler. Hızır is capable of carrying up to nine personnel and its various modifications can perform a wide variety of tasks, such as military personnel transportation, medical evacuation, engaging in armed combat, serving as a mobile command and control center or weapons carrier platform, conducting military reconnaissance and border patrol missions or providing CBRN defence.[1] The name Hızır is the Turkish variant of Khidr, a mystical Islamic figure described in the Quran as a guardian that aids those in distress.

Variants

The Ateş (pronounced as /tr/; lit. "Flame"), Hızır's border patrol and reconnaissance variant,[2] operated by Turkish Land Forces, is a Hızır 4x4 vehicle integrated with Aselsan's high-tech reconnaissance,[3] surveillance systems and environmental monitoring radar.[4] The Ateş variant was designed to meet border security requirements set up by the European Union-funded project to "Supply Mobile Surveillance Units for Increasing Border Surveillance Capacity of Borders between Turkey and EU", which contributed 27.6 million euros, or 75% of the project's cost.[5] Ateş can carry out reconnaissance and surveillance missions in day and night conditions with a range of 40 km. It can carry up to six personnel, two of which are crew (driver and commander).[6]

The Hızır II (or Hızır 2) was unveiled at the İDEF defence expo in August 2021.[7] It features a redesigned exterior, two side doors instead of Hızır I's four-door design, increased crew capacity (up to fourteen occupants compared to nine in Hızır I) due to new face-to-face seating configuration in the passenger compartment, rear ramp in place of previous model's swing door, larger fuel tank, extended operational range and improved air conditioning system.[8]

Operators

118 Hızır 4x4 MRAPs ordered to be operated by Kenya Defence Forces.[10] [11]

1 Hızır 4x4 Ateş procured in October 2021 to be used by the Uruguay Mechanized Infantry Unit under the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force mission.[12] [13]

20 Hızır 4x4 MRAPs ordered to be operated by Gambia Armed Forces.[14] Deliveries began in October 2022, with first few examples already accepted into service.[15] Besides the 20 purchased vehicles the Turkish government donated 2 additional Hızır MRAPs to the Gambian Armed Forces in November 2022.[16] [17]

Both Hızır MRAP and Ateş border patrol variants on order to be operated by Rwanda Defence Force.[18]

Hızır II variant in use, deliveries started in 2024.[19]

Potential Users

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Products ___ Katmerciler. 2021-01-25. www.katmerciler.com.tr.
  2. Web site: Products ___ Katmerciler. 2021-01-25. www.katmerciler.com.tr.
  3. Web site: observer sub system.
  4. Web site: Alemdar. Ahmet. 2020-05-04. Katmerciler ve Aselsan güvenlik güçlerine 'ATEŞ' teslimatlarını tamamladı. 2021-01-25. DefenceTurk. tr.
  5. Web site: Funding for surveillance vehicles along the EU-Turkey border .
  6. Web site: Alemdar. Ahmet. 2020-05-04. Katmerciler ve Aselsan güvenlik güçlerine 'ATEŞ' teslimatlarını tamamladı. 2021-01-25. DefenceTurk. tr.
  7. https://www.raillynews.com/2021/08/katmerciler-at-the-idef21-fair-with-its-four-armored-vehicles%2C-where-it-introduced-the-two-for-the-first-time/
  8. Web site: Commercial Vehicles ___ Katmerciler .
  9. News: Katmerciler ve Aselsan güvenlik güçlerine 'ATEŞ' teslimatlarını tamamladı. Defence Turk. 2020-05-04.
  10. Web site: Turkish Hizir vehicles exported to East Africa. 2021-01-25. Janes.com. en.
  11. Web site: KDF to buy 118 top military vehicles to fight al Shabaab. 2021-01-25. The Star. en-KE.
  12. https://www.defensa.com/uruguay/ejercito-uruguayo-incorpora-dos-blindados-turcos-katmerciler
  13. Web site: El Ejército de Uruguay recibe dos blindados para su despliegue en Siria .
  14. Web site: GAMBIA : Banjul orders Turkish Katmerciler APCs to bolster its peacekeeping contingents - 24/08/2021 . 24 August 2021 .
  15. Web site: Gambiya Ordusu'na HIZIR zırhlı araç teslimatı . 17 October 2022 .
  16. Web site: Turkey donates Katmerciler Hizir MRAP to Gambia – Military Africa .
  17. http://twitter.com/oryxspioenkop/status/1601537777602285568
  18. https://x.com/factsonrwanda/status/1431641776608235528
  19. http://x.com/defence_turk/status/1762416317527666861
  20. Web site: Uganda could be the customer of Hizir 4x4 armored from Katmerciler of Turkey Defense News January 2021 Global Security army industry Defense Security global news industry army year 2021 Archive News year. 2021-01-25. www.armyrecognition.com.
  21. News: 2021-01-14. Uganda revealed as Hizir APC customer. 2021-01-25. defenceWeb. en-ZA. Martin . Guy .
  22. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Heavy military presence in Kampala ahead of polls . YouTube.