Turkey’s FNSS turns to a tank for its new armoured vehicle

Turkish company FNSS Savunma Sistemleri has unveiled a concept model of its latest tracked armoured fighting vehicle (AFV), the Kaplan APC which, unusually for the modern era, draws heavily on a light tank design.

The new model has been developed in conjunction with PT Pindad to meet an Indonesian Army requirement for a tracked APC in the 30-tonne class. For this programme PT Pindad and FNSS have signed a development and production agreement.

The Kaplan APC can carry 10 dismounts and a crew of three consisting of commander, gunner and driver, with troops entering and leaving via a power-operated ramp at the rear.

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To reduce through-life costs it uses automotive components from the FNSS Kaplan Medium Tank (MT), which is already in service with Indonesia under the local name Harimau, with a first batch of 18 delivered by Pindad.

These Harimaus are fitted with a John Cockerill Defense C3105 turret armed with a 105mm high-pressure rifled gun and 7.62mm co-axial machine gun (MG). The turrets are delivered direct to Indonesia.

The first Kaplan APC is due to be completed by FNSS in Turkey this year, with the second rolled out in Indonesia by Pindad, with qualification trials undertaken in both countries by 2026.

The hull is of welded steel and fitted with a modular passive armour package that can be tailored to meet end users operational requirements. According to FNSS, this provides protection against ballistic, mine and improvised explosive devices (IED) threats but can be augmented by an active protection system (APS) developed in Turkey by Aselsan.

The power pack is installed at the front of the vehicle and consists of a diesel coupled to a fully automatic transmission which gives a maximum road speed of up to 70km/h and a power-to-weight ratio of 22hp/tonne.

Operational range is said to be up to 450km, and other capabilities include climbing a 60% gradient, climbing a 0.9m vertical obstacle and crossing a 2.2m wide trench.

The electrical system is 24V and when configured as a command post an auxiliary power unit (APU) could be fitted.

Suspension is of the torsion bar type with six road wheels either side, and this is stated to provide a high level of cross-country mobility and a smooth ride for the crew.

Weapons at the ready

Kaplan APC can be fitted with a wide range of roof-mounted weapons including a protected weapon station (PWS), remote weapon station (RWS) or even a turret armed with a stabilised 25mm cannon and 7.62mm MG, all of which can be supplied direct by FNSS.

A back of six 76mm electrically operated smoke grenade launchers are mounted on the roof on either side and could be linked to laser detectors.

It also has an open generic vehicle architecture which makes it easier to install user-specific equipment and add new subsystems as technology evolves.

Standard equipment for the Kaplan APC includes cameras for 360-degree situational awareness, driver’s day/night driving device, battle management system (BMS), land navigation system, automatic fire detection and suppression system, air conditioning and CBRN protection.

While the baseline Kaplan is an APC, it can also be configured for specific roles such as 120mm mortar carrier and command post or fitted with launchers for anti-tank guided weapons.

FNSS was originally established by the US FMC Corporation (49%) and Turkey’s Nurol to undertake local production of the Turkish Infantry Fighting Vehicle (TIFV), which was based on a development of the ubiquitous M113.

FNSS looks to home and away and taps into Asia

Since then, FNSS has established its own research and development capability and designed many new tracked and wheeled AFVs for home and export markets.

In addition, the company has undertaken technology transfer programmes to countries including Malaysia (Pars 8x8) and Saudi Arabia (M113 upgrades).

It was announced in mid-October 2024 that Nurol would acquire the remaining 49% of BAE Systems’ (FMC’s successor) shares so that it becomes a 100% Turkish company, probably by the end of 2024.

The complete package of locally developed subsystems offered to Indonesia for the Kaplan APC shows how far the company come from licence assembly of a US design.

This analysis article originally appeared in December's Decisive Edge Land Warfare Newsletter. To receive regular updates from Christopher F Foss and our team of defence experts visit our Decisive Edge sign up page.

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