The armed forces of Kosovo are becoming the first international customer of the Vuran Kirpi mine-resistant armored vehicle built by Turkish military vehicle builder BMC Otomotiv.
According to Turkish reports from earlier this week, BMC will be working with defense technology major Aselsan to deliver the 4X4 vehicles to Kosovo.
These reports were confirmed by Kosovo’s former foreign minister Petrit Selimi, who noted that a total of 14 units would be purchased.
The deal is yet to be confirmed by the defense ministry of Kosovo and the companies involved.
BMC says the Vuran features an independent suspension system, with a unibody armored cabin and special armored windshields, shock-absorber seats, weapon-station and an emergency exit hatch. The vehicle also has chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense protection, a shot fire location tracking system, and a robotic arm for explosive detection and disposal, among other features.
The 13-seat vehicle has a payload of 1,775 kg and a maximum weight of over 20 tons.
While Kosovo is poised to become the first international operator of the vehicle, the Vuran is already in service with the Turkish armed forces.
