FNSS Amphibious Armored Engineering vehicle.

[Manokski]

http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/2020/02/turkey-sells-kunduz-amphibious-armored.html

"Turkish defense company FNSS has signed an agreement to export its amphibious armored combat earthmover (AACE) to the Philippines, the company's general director said."

For the marines or the army?

[Ayoshi]

Turkey sells Kunduz Amphibious Armored Combat Earthmovers to the Philippines | Army Recognition - 10 February 2020 15:54

This engineer vehicle was developed and produced in less than a four-year work for the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) by FNSS Defence Systems. The contract to develop the armored amphibious bulldozer was signed on March 10, 2009, between the Ministry of National Defense and the FNSS.
The project, which actually began to be implemented on June 15, 2009, foresaw the production of twelve units until the end of 2013. The first was delivered on January 11, 2013.

The Kunduz is dedicated to move earth, clear terrain obstacles, cut steep slopes and stabilize stream banks for easy river crossing of combat vehicles during Turkish Army's amphibious warfare. AZMİM (another name – actually an acronym – for the Kunduz) has two crew members: an operator and an attendant. AZMİM is equipped with daylight camera system, night vision device, multi-purpose LED display and air conditioner. Its maximum speed is 45 km/h (28 mph). Two installed pump-jets enable the amphibious bulldozer to conduct a 360 degrees turning movement in rip current waters.

Kunduz Amphibious Armored Combat Earthmover (Picture source: Army Recognition)

[girder]

Hm, this may be in connection with the Navy/Marines requirement for an Assault Breacher Vehicle  that is supposed to be programmed for Horizon 2 (as indicated in that PN infographic of its planned acquisitions).

On the other hand, I've heard that the Army just signed a deal with Elbit for tracked bridging vehicles, so this may be another acquisition aimed at acquiring heavy combat engineering equipment.

Links:

Manufacturer's webpage
Brochure (PDF)
FNSS - KUNDUZ Amfibi Zırhlı Muharebe İstihkam İş Makinası Tanıtım Filmi (Youtube)

Upon further research, the Kunduz appears to be an improved version of the American M9 ACE. Improvements include increasing crew size to 2, airconditioning system with CBRN protection, mine and ballistic protection, improved amphibious capability, thermal/day camera.

The pre-existing vehicle on which the Kunduz is based on: the M9 Armored Combat Earthmover
M9 Armored Combat Earthmover
[Video] The Army Combat Earthmover (ACE)

[girder]

[Video]Turkish company FNSS to deliver AACE Armored Amphibious Combat Earthmover to Philippines

[LionFlyer]

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/update-fnss-to-complete-delivery-of-aace-vehicles-to-philippines-in-early-2023

05 JANUARY 2021

Update: FNSS to complete delivery of AACE vehicles to Philippines in early 2023
by Gabriel Dominguez

Turkey’s FNSS Savunma Sistemleri (FNSS) announced on 4 January that delivery of the Armoured Amphibious Combat Earthmover (AACE) vehicles ordered by the Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) last year will be completed by the end of March 2023.

The company said in a statement that under the contract, which entered into force in November 2020, FNSS will provide the tracked vehicles, along with training and logistic support services, to the Philippine Army (PA).

The value of the contract and the number of AACEs on order was not disclosed.

The vehicles will be manufactured at FNSS facilities and acceptance tests will take place both in Turkey and the Philippines. Training will be held in Philippines as part of integrated logistics support services.

FNSS pointed out that, within the PA’s modernisation programme, the main goal of this project is to increase the capabilities of the combat engineer battalion units. The company noted that the AACE is designed for the preparation of river banks for river crossings, adding that the vehicle is capable of performing bulldozing, rough grading, excavating, hauling, and scraping operations.

In a separate statement, FNSS announced that another contract secured from the Philippine DND last year – for an undisclosed number of stabilised one-man turrets to the PA, along with integration and logistics support services – is slated for completion by December.

The company said the main goal of this second project is to upgrade the firepower of existing tracked armoured vehicles in PA service, adding that the integration of the turrets, the designation of which was not disclosed, will be completed by October.