Kazakh army tests Turkish Otokar Tulpar IFV infangtry fighting vehicle

Defense News July 2021 Global Security army industry
Posted On

According to Novosti, the Kazakh army continues to test Turkish-made armored vehicles. Following the armored wheeled vehicle (BKM) Arma-8x8, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Kazakhstan brought the Tulpar infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) manufactured by the Turkish company Otokar for testing.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Army Recognition Global Defense and Security news
Otokar "Tulpar" IFV (Picture source: Otokar)

According to local media reports referring to the Kazakh Defense Ministry, the Tulpar has successfully passed all the tests, demonstrating not only its running capabilities but also in firing its automatic gun on the move and on the spot. It is specified that a new version of the Mızrak-30 turret with remote control is installed on the IFV. It is assumed that the Tulpar is armed with a cannon made for firing Russian ammunition already used in the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan.

Tulpar is a member of the light tracked vehicle family produced by Otokar. It is a 15-ton amphibious vehicle platform that was first unveiled in the Weapon Carrier Vehicle configuration during IDEF 2015, in Istanbul. It was displayed in Eurosatory 2016 in the Armoured Personnel Carrier configuration.

Tulpar can cross deep water obstacles and even swim thanks to its amphibious capabilities. It carries a commander, a driver and eight fully-geared crew members. It has modular armor that allows the vehicle to be easily configured for added protection in different protection levels. The protection is supported with mine-resistant double-layer welded structure, shock-absorbing floating floor, mine-blast resistant crew seats and spall liners in the crew cabin.

The IFV has a 6-cylinder in-line diesel engine developing 360 HP, coupled to a transmission offering 4 forward and 2 reverse gears with torque converter. It can cross an 800mm-high obstacle and a 2.60m-wide trench. The vehicle is able to negotiate slopes of up to 60% and side slopes of up to 30%. The suspension system is made of torsion bars with shock absorbers. Rubber tracks instead of steel tracks with replaceable pads are an option.