Brazil has shortlisted the tracked AFVs for its acquisition programme involving IFVs and light tanks, with Turkiye's Otokar Tulpar making it to the list.
Brazil-based Tecnologia & Defesa Editor Paulo Roberto Bastos Jr. reported that the shortlist to four competitors includes Tulpar (Turkiye), CV90 (Sweden), ASCOD (Spain/Austria), and KF41 Lynx (Germany). The participation of Otokar’s Tulpar tracked AFV has been reported earlier this year and the shortlisting marks another important step for Otokar.
The IFV configuration's weapon options remain unknown, but possibilities include MIZRAK (Otokar, 25 mm or 30 mm), SARP 100/35 or KORHAN (ASELSAN, 35 mm), as the tracked vehicle has been shown with both turrets. Whereas MIZRAK has the advantage of coming from the manufacturer itself and having provision for two ATGMs; SARP 100/35 comes with more features, such as 35 mm ATOM airburst ammunition and high elevation limits.
However, it can be said that Tulpar is set to compete with the Italian HITFACT MK-II turret from Leonardo when it comes to light tank configuration. HITFACT MK-II is mainly fitted with a 120 mm L51 smoothbore gun meant to be used on lighter-than-tank vehicles and has the provision for a RCWS to handle short-range threats. Tulpar with the turret made its debut in 2023.
Mobile Air Defence Configurations?
Brazil might also go for a successor to the Gepard 1A2 SPAAGs, considering the need for pretty much any legacy SPAAG user to get an upgrade to keep up with the UAV and cruise missile threats. In this regard, only CV90 has been historically developed into an air defence vehicle as Lvkv 90, which uses a radar and programmable ammunition for 40 mm Bofors, which has not been popular.
Looking at how the other candidates could be offered, multiple options exist for Tulpar and KF41 Lynx.
For Tulpar, it could be either the KORKUT 35 mm air defence system, which is now available with the option of KALKAN 050-G AESA radars and KANGAL jammers distributed on the turret or the upcoming GÜRZ 140, the configuration intended for AFVs with eight MANPADS and one 35 mm revolver cannon. KORKUT's important feature is the 35 mm ATOM round, which has been combat-proven against different UAV threats.
In the case of KF41 Lynx, Skyranger 30 and Skyranger 35 systems are available. Skyranger 35 with one 35 mm revolver cannon (1000 RPM fire rate) uses the AHEAD ammunition, the earlier German counterpart of ATOM. Skyranger 30, as the newer system, also employs AHEAD ammunition but in a 30 mm calibre and at a fire rate of 1200 RPM. However, the most important advantages of Skyranger 30 are fixed AESA radars and a built-in missile launcher for MANPADS or the new SADM C-UAS missiles.
Article originally published on the Tecnologia & Defesa portal with the title in Portuguese “Nova Família de Blindados – Os quatro favoritos” (New Armored Family – The Four Favorites) on 30/08/2025, and translated and adapted by Paulo Roberto Bastos Jr.
(*) Tecnologia & Defesa (Technology & Defence) was founded in 1983 as a magazine specialising in aerospace defence and public security. Tecnologia & Defesa is the largest and oldest printed magazine in the sector. It is published in Brazil and has a national circulation in South American countries. Since 2025, it has been a partner of TurDef in exchanging information to keep readers updated on the important news occurring between the two countries.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
