KAPLAN 10 STA FNSS

Anti-Tank light tracked armored vehicle - Turkey

The KAPLAN 10 is a new generation armored fighting vehicle that has the ability to move together with main battle tanks. Platform design enables all kinds of missions to be performed by integrating different subsystems.

The KAPLAN 10 has a low silhouette and has the ability to operate at high speed, not only on asphalt but also on soft soil, or muddy and rough terrains under all weather conditions. The advanced suspension track system is designed to reduce vibrations and improve road holding.

The maintenance and repair of the power pack is carried out via the cabin access hatch. For balance, the two fuel tanks are located at the rear and are fully armored and isolated from the vehicle to ensure the security of personnel.

The KAPLAN 10 is one of the very few vehicles to have amphibious characteristics. Thanks to the two water propulsion systems located at the rear of the vehicle, KAPLAN 10 can perform in deep and fast-flowing waters. In addition to this, the driver is able to enter the water without prior preparation.

The hull of KAPLAN 10 is manufactured and integrated using a ballistic welding technique. While the power pack cabin and the expanded driver area is located at the front of the vehicle, the gunner and the commander areas are located in the middle of the vehicle. The rear part includes the gunner’s aid and additional crew sections.
There are also laser-protected glass periscopes that allow the driver to see outside with a wide angle of view, providing a high situational awareness. Integrated night vision systems are standard in all variants

Kaplan STA Anti-Tank variants:

The Kaplan STA Anti-Tank is a new generation of tracked armored fighting vehicles that has the ability to move together with main battle tanks. The vehicle is based on the tracked armored vehicle Kaplan-10 fully designed and manufactured by the Turkish company FNSS. The vehicle is designed to conduct anti-tank missions using a weapon station that can be armed with KORNET-E, MIZRAK-O, SKIF or other anti-tank guided missiles. Developed as part of the Anti-Tank Vehicles (ATV) project led by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), KAPLAN ANTI-TANK is the smallest member of the KAPLAN new-generation armored combat vehicle family of FNSS. In December 2021, the Turkish Defense Association (SSB) announced the delivery of the Kaplan STA to the Turkish armed forces.

Armament

The Kaplan STA Anti-tank is fitted with a fully stabilized and electrically powered remotely operated weapon station which is equipped with two launcher tubes able to launch anti-tank guided missiles such as the Russian Kornet-E, the Turkish MIZRAK-O, the Ukrainian SKIF, or other anti-tank guided missiles. The center is equipped with sight and optic systems including a thermal Camera / Day Camera, laser range finder, and the gunner control system. The second armament includes one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun mounted to the right of the turret. A bank of four smoke grenade dischargers is mounted at the front right side of the hull and another bank of eight smoke grenade dischargers is mounted at the rear of the top hull.

Close view of the remotely operated weapon station of the Kaplan anti-tank

Design and protection

The hull of the KAPLAN STA Anti-Tank is manufactured and integrated using a ballistic welding technique providing protection against the firing of small arms, artillery shell splinters, and blasts of mine or IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) explosion. The design of the vehicle consists of three main parts with the driver seated at the front left side of the hull with the powerpack on its right. The commander hatch is located just behind the driver's position with the turret to his left. The rear part of the hull can accommodate three soldiers to perform all the firing operations from inside of the vehicle. The rear part of the vehicle is fitted with a hydraulic ramp which is used by the crew and soldiers to quickly enter or leave the vehicle.

Mobility

The KAPLAN STA Anti-Tank is motorized with a Diesel engine coupled to a fully automatic transmission. It can run at a maximum road speed of 65 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 525 km. The maintenance and repair of the powerpack is carried out via the cabin access hatch. For balance, the two fuel tanks are located at the rear and are fully armored and isolated from the vehicle to ensure the security of personnel. The vehicle is fully amphibious and is powered in the water at a maximum speed of 6.3 km/h thanks to two water propulsion systems located at the rear of the vehicle. To cross water, the vehicles don’t need any preparation. The torsion bar suspension consists on each side of five road wheels with a track return roller at the front and idler at the rear. The advanced suspension track system is designed to reduce vibrations and improve road holding. The vehicle can climb a gradient of 70 % and a side slope of 40. It can climb a vertical obstacle of 0.75 m and cross a trench with a length of 1.8 m.

The Kaplan anti-tank is fully amphibious

Accessories

Standard equipment of the Kaplan STA Anti-Tank includes a night vision system for the driver, a command and control system, a navigation system, VHF/UHF radios and crew intercommunication system, and an auxiliary power unit. The vehicle is also fitted with laser-protected glass periscopes that allow the driver to see outside with a wide-angle of view, providing a high situational awareness.