Samur

   The Samur (Sable) amphibious rig was developed by the Turkish FNSS company to meet requirements of the Turkish military. It is also referred as Amphibious Assault Bridge (AAB). Development contract was awarded in 2007. It is a military bridging and ferrying system, used to carry tanks and other vehicles across water obstacles. Development was completed in 2011 and four vehicles were delivered for training. Turkish Army ordered a total of 52 Samurs. These military engineering vehicles are to be delivered by 2013.

   This engineering vehicle is similar in concept to the German M3 amphibious rig. It is based on the FNSS Pars 8x8 armored personnel carrier chassis. This amphibious rig has light welded aluminum alloy hull. Vehicle is self-propelled on land. On roads the Samur travels on eight wheels. When afloat the wheels are retracted into the hull in order to minimize drag and increase amphibious speed. Amphibian deploys two large aluminum pontoons and transforms into the raft-type ferry. Pontoons can be deployed on the move. On water it is propelled by two waterjets.

   A single rig has a payload capacity of 21 t for tracked vehicles. Multiple Samur rigs can connect to form larger ferry or a floating bridge. Two coupled rigs can carry a main battle tank. A typical amphibious bridging unit will contain 12 Samur rigs. All of these rigs can be couplet together to form a floating bridge with a maximum length of 150 m. Coupled rigs have a payload capacity of 70 t for tracked vehicles and 100 t for wheeled vehicles, so even the heaviest main battle tanks can be carried.

   The Samur is operated by a crew of three. Crew cabin is fitted with ballistic protection against small arms fire and artillery shell fragments. It also has an NBC protection system.

   The Samur is powered by a German Deutz turbocharged diesel engine, developing 523 hp. It is coupled with an automatic transmission. This combat engineering vehicle has a full-time all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering. It is fitted with a central tyre inflation system, which can be adjusted on the move from the driver's station. A self-recovery winch is fitted in case the vehicle gets bogged down.