Slovakian Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák stated that Otokar’s TULPAR is being considered as a platform candidate for a new light tank with a 120 mm gun.
Slovakia-based defence news platform Future Army reported that the Slovakian MoD is evaluating the Turkish TULPAR alongside the BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90120 for the light tank programme, which aims for a more mobile and affordable tank compared to an MBT while keeping the firepower of the 120 mm calibre gun.
TULPAR joining the bid for Slovakia’s future light tank marks the second submission for light tank export, the first being Brazil’s tender for new tracked fighting vehicles that includes light tanks.
Slovakia aims to use a new 120 mm turret being developed in cooperation with Koval Systems, BAE Systems, and Rheinmetall.
Minister of Defence Kaliňák stated that Otokar has come up with an offer proposing local production of not only the turret but also the platform part, which can be understood to be TULPAR itself.
What Does TULPAR Offer to Slovakia?
Slovakia does not have a history of acquiring vehicles from Otokar, at least in the military sector, which makes the sudden entry of TULPAR into the bid for the European country more surprising, in addition to the fact that CV90120 has already been on the table before the mention of TULPAR.
TULPAR, while new in the tender, has edges of its own in terms of flexibility. This flexibility extends as far as the engine, protection, and weapon system.
Firstly, TULPAR offers two options for the engine as 700 hp or 1100 hp, depending on customer requirements, as the vehicle has a wide gross weight envelope between 28 and 45 tonnes.
Secondly, the protection can be increased up to STANAG 4569 Level 5 (Resistance against 25 mm APDS ammunition) through add-on armour.
Finally, TULPAR in light tank configuration is available with either the Belgian Cockerill 3105 105 mm turret or the Italian HITFACT MK-II 120 mm L45 turret. It should also be noted that Otokar is highly flexible when it comes to the integration of new turrets, as seen from examples like TAIMAS 8x8 IFV (Kazakhstan, fitted with a Chinese turret for VN20) and RABDAN 8x8 IFV (UAE, currently uses the BMP-3 turret to be swapped for the Spanish EM&E Guardian 30 turret).
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
