Otokar displayed AKREP II 4x4 tactical armoured vehicle in C-UAS configuration, fitted with a high-capacity launcher for APKWS rockets and an AESA radar mast.
Otokar [BIST: OTKAR] pitched its AKREP II modular 4x4 armoured vehicle for C-UAS missions with AGR-20 APKWS laser-guided rockets and a mast for Leonardo RPS-42 radars at Eurosatory 2026. The new configuration’s launcher for APKWS holds 18 rounds in total and has an independent gimbal EO/IR for targeting. A mast with RPS-42 AESA radars from Leonardo is the pillar of AKREP II C-UAS configuration’s detection capabilities as a radar optimised against small targets and proven in Ukraine.
It can be said that this new configuration is mainly intended for the European market, as it uses a widespread laser-guided rocket throughout the Western Bloc and radar from a prominent provider in Europe. The use of RPS-42 would also mark the second major cooperation with Leonardo, following the integration of the HITFACT MKII 120 L45 turret, which has found appeal mainly in Brazil, seeking new fire support vehicles.
AKREP II is the spiritual successor of AKREP 4x4 armoured vehicle as a more modular and agile platform, focusing on special missions including fire support (25 mm MIZRAK and 90 mm turret variants) and reconnaissance. Another notable feature of AKREP II is that it can be fitted with different powerpacks including diesel (AKREP IId), hybrid, and all-electric. Hybrid propulsion has shown promise with the advantages in operating range, all-electric mode providing stealth, and sometimes acceleration. On the other hand, all-electric propulsion despite its thermal/noise signature and acceleration advantages still has the range issues to be addressed. Thus, Otokar has prepared AKREP II as accepting all three to be prepared for the introduction of new propulsion layouts as time goes.
Turkish Armoured Vehicle Firms' Steps Into Europe
Otokar’s push for Europe is not only with marketing and joint works but also the formation of new industrial nodes, such as the new plant in Romania producing Cobra II 4x4 general-purpose vehicles.
Similar to Otokar, FNSS is making its own push towards Europe from Czechia and Slovenia. During the exhibition, FNSS has taken the first step to form a JV with the Czech CSG to bring new medium armoured vehicle solutions to the European market, after the unveiling of the tri-laterally developed CFL120 KARPAT medium tank based on KAPLAN MT.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
