Türkiye's OTOKAR Presents AKREP II Armored Combat Vehicle with John Cockerill's CSE 90LP Turret at IDEF 2025 Highlighting New Firepower Prospects.

During IDEF 2025, the defense exhibition in Istanbul, Türkiye, OTOKAR unveiled its AKREP II vehicle equipped with the powerful John Cockerill CSE 90LP turret, drawing considerable attention from global defense observers. This collaboration between a leading Turkish armored vehicle manufacturer and a renowned Belgian turret producer signals a new step in mobile fire support capabilities. The unveiling not only reflects OTOKAR’s evolution in turret integration but also hints at growing regional ambitions in advanced armored warfare. This system is particularly relevant in today’s increasingly urban and asymmetrical combat environments.

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The AKREP II paired with the John Cockerill CSE 90LP turret emerges from IDEF 2025 as a compelling solution in the light armor segment, embodying both technological innovation and strategic foresight (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The AKREP II is a next-generation, wheeled armored combat vehicle designed by OTOKAR to provide high mobility, stealth, and modular firepower solutions. At IDEF 2025, the showcased variant featured the John Cockerill CSE 90LP turret, a low-pressure gun system capable of engaging both armored threats and fortified positions. The AKREP II integrates advanced electro-optics, high-end situational awareness tools, and enhanced crew protection within a compact chassis, making it suitable for reconnaissance, fire support, and rapid deployment missions across challenging terrain.

Initially conceptualized as a successor to earlier generations of light armored vehicles, the AKREP II has undergone several iterations since its first public appearance in 2019. Its development was shaped by feedback from military users and battlefield lessons learned from recent regional conflicts. The integration of the CSE 90LP turret marks a notable shift from previous lighter weapon configurations to a more versatile, medium-caliber solution, mirroring developments seen in systems such as France’s Panhard ERC 90 or Indonesia’s Harimau light tank, which similarly combine mobility with a 90mm gun system.

What distinguishes the AKREP II with the CSE 90LP from comparable platforms is its electric propulsion option, reduced thermal/acoustic signature, and ability to operate effectively in urban, jungle, and semi-conventional warfare theaters. Unlike heavier 8x8 vehicles or tracked IFVs, the AKREP II offers reduced logistical burden while maintaining considerable firepower. Compared to legacy systems like the B1 Centauro or older AMX-10RC, the AKREP II brings a more modernized digital architecture and a modularity that supports future mission-specific adaptations.

Strategically, this combination significantly enhances Turkiye’s ability to offer light, mobile, and heavily armed vehicles for both domestic use and export, catering to partners seeking versatile tools for border security, peacekeeping, and expeditionary operations. The system reinforces Turkiye’s doctrine of agile warfare and supports its geopolitical strategy of increasing defense exports to Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. The AKREP II’s adaptability to various turrets and mission modules also aligns with NATO interoperability trends and hybrid conflict demands.

The AKREP II paired with the John Cockerill CSE 90LP turret emerges from IDEF 2025 as a compelling solution in the light armor segment, embodying both technological innovation and strategic foresight. Turkiye’s defense industry continues to bridge advanced European weapon systems with indigenous mobility platforms, reshaping the landscape for expeditionary armored fire support. This integration sets a new standard for modularity, export potential, and battlefield relevance, further consolidating OTOKAR’s position as a key player in global armored vehicle markets.