Kazakhstan Announces Local Production of Turkish OTOKAR Tracked Armored Vehicles.

Kazakhstan will begin local production of OTOKAR’s tracked armored vehicles following a presidential visit to a key defense plant, Kazinform reported on January 3, 2026. The move reflects Astana’s push to deepen its self-reliance and modernize its defense industrial base.

Kazakhstan is taking a significant step toward defense industrial autonomy after President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev confirmed plans to produce locally the OTOKAR Tulpar tracked armored vehicle during a December 24, 2025, visit to the Besqaru Defense Industrial Plant. The announcement was reported by Kazinform, Kazakhstan’s official state news agency, on January 3, 2026, citing remarks made by the president during a high-level inspection focused on expanding domestic military production.
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Tulpar light tank fitted with the HITFIST 105mm turret, developed by Turkish Company OTOKAR in cooperation with Leonardo from Italy, showcasing its direct fire capability and mobility optimized for expeditionary missions and high-threat environments. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

The announcement, made directly by Kazakh President Tokayev in front of military officials and defense industry leaders, marks a pivotal upgrade in Kazakhstan’s military manufacturing capabilities. It also deepens the strategic defense partnership with Türkiye, as OTOKAR, one of Türkiye’s most prominent armored vehicle producers, remains a central pillar of Astana’s defense modernization roadmap.

The Besqaru plant, located in the Karaganda region, has already been producing indigenous variants of Turkish wheeled platforms. These include the Taimas 8x8, derived from OTOKAR’s Arma 8x8, and the Aibar 4x4, a Kazakh version of the amphibious Cobra II. Now, the addition of a tracked vehicle line represents a significant step toward full-spectrum industrial defense capability.

While officials did not confirm the specific model, multiple defense sources told Army Recognition that the likely platform is the Tulpar tracked infantry fighting vehicle, one of OTOKAR’s most advanced and combat-ready systems. If confirmed, this would mark the first time a modern tracked IFV is produced locally in Central Asia.

The OTOKAR Tulpar is a new-generation tracked infantry fighting vehicle designed to operate alongside main battle tanks and provide fire support in high-threat environments. Developed to meet the requirements of modern mechanized forces, it features a modular armored hull with scalable protection levels, including up to STANAG 4569 Level 5 ballistic and mine resistance. Powered by a 720-horsepower diesel engine, it offers a high power-to-weight ratio, outstanding off-road mobility, and a top speed exceeding 70 km/h.

OTOKAR has developed multiple configurations of the Tulpar, including a standard IFV variant armed with a 30mm or 35mm autocannon turret, a command post vehicle, an armored recovery vehicle, a mortar carrier able to integrate 81mm or 120mm mortars, and an anti-tank missile carrier configured to fire Kornet or OMTAS guided missiles. Notably, OTOKAR has also developed a light tank version equipped with the HITFIST 105mm turret from Leonardo. This variant is designed for direct fire support, with a high-velocity gun capable of defeating armored targets, fortified positions, and soft-skinned vehicles at extended ranges. Featuring advanced fire control, thermal imaging, and full digital connectivity, the light tank expands the Tulpar family’s operational role into expeditionary and asymmetric warfare environments where traditional main battle tanks are less suitable. If Kazakhstan integrates this version into local production, it would mark a significant milestone by introducing a domestically built tracked fire support vehicle with tank-level lethality.

According to President Tokayev, the domestic production of this new tracked vehicle line will support national defense self-sufficiency and position Kazakhstan as a potential exporter of armored platforms within the Eurasian Economic Union and select African and Asian markets. "This is not just an industrial project, it is a matter of national security and economic sovereignty," Tokayev said during his speech, reinforcing the growing importance of Kazakhstan’s domestic defense base in light of regional volatility.

Kazakhstan’s defense procurement strategy over the last decade has increasingly leaned toward technology transfers and localized production rather than off-the-shelf imports. The OTOKAR partnership exemplifies this approach. In exchange for opening its designs and offering co-production rights, the Turkish firm gains access to Kazakhstan’s vast industrial base and strategic location along Belt and Road corridors.

The Besqaru plant currently operates with an annual capacity of up to 200 vehicles and includes testing grounds, maintenance bays, welding stations, and digital production lines. Kazakh defense officials revealed that the facility will undergo additional upgrades in 2026 to accommodate tracked vehicle assembly lines, including heavier lifting cranes and armored hull machining systems.

This move comes amid heightened concerns about regional instability and the need for Kazakhstan to strengthen its border defense capabilities. The deployment of locally built 8x8 and 4x4 armored vehicles has already been observed during joint drills and national exercises. The tracked variant, once fielded, will be capable of supporting mechanized infantry in diverse terrains, from desert plains to mountainous regions.

While the Tulpar tracked armored vehicle production timeline remains undisclosed, sources indicated that trial assembly of the first units could begin as early as Q4 2026, with field evaluations by the Kazakh Armed Forces expected in 2027. Whether Kazakhstan intends to integrate domestic electronics or sensors into these vehicles remains under discussion, though defense officials emphasized that local content will exceed 60 percent over time.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.