Kazakhstani MoD’s social media post regarding the parade is not only a positive signal for Arma 8x8 in the bid for the Turkic country’s new armoured vehicle acquisition but also shows a new weapon option.

Otokar’s Cobra II 4x4 vehicles were also seen in the parade, fitted with manually-operated machine gun turrets.

The New Turret for Arma 8x8

The first thing drawing attention is the weapon loadout mirroring the Russian BMP-3 tracked IFV’s with a 2A70 100 mm rifled gun, 2A72 30 mm autocannon, and PKT 7.62 mm co-axial machine gun. Additionally, two concealed ATGMS on the sides and one 7.62 mm RCWS are present as secondary armament.

 However, the turret appears to have a significantly thicker armour compared to the original BMP-3 turret.

Previously, an Arma 8x8 vehicle was seen with the BMP-3 turret during its tests in Kazakhstan. 

This indicates a new turret was developed to satisfy protection requirements to a better degree while having the Russian-standard armament to avoid a logistic burden. TurDef underlines that the manufacturer remains unknown.

Arma 8x8’s Run in Kazakhstan

Arma 8x8 has been undergoing tests in Kazakhstan alongside the tracked Tulpar armoured vehicle for years with various armament, including ASELSAN’s NEFER turret (With 2A72 autocannon) and the aforementioned BMP-3 turret.

Arma 8x8 is a flexible wheeled armoured vehicle that can be configured as an APC, fire support vehicle (Up to 120 mm guns), IFV, ambulance, mortar carrier, logistics support, or air defence vehicle. The armoured vehicle can carry up to 12 troops in addition to its combat/utility payload and reach a speed of more than 100 km/h.

Author: Kaan Azman

Editor: Özgür Ekşi