Tracked attack

Turkish company Otokar (Stand N6-440) has brought its latest Tulpar tracked combat vehicle to DSEI in the infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) configuration, fitted with its Mizrak-30 turret armed with a stabilised Northrop Grumman Armament Systems (previously ATK) 30mm dual-feed cannon and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun (MG).

A key feature of the Mizrak-30 is two stabilised day/thermal sights that incorporate a laser rangefinder to enable hunter/killer target engagements to take place.

The Tulpar IFV has a crew of three consisting of commander, gunner and driver and can also carry nine dismounts. It can be supplied powered by an MTU or Caterpillar diesel coupled to a Renk automatic transmission. A gross vehicle weight of between 28 and 45 tonnes is available, depending on the weapon fit and armour package.

For trials purposes, the Tulpar IFV has recently been fitted with a John Cockerill Defense (previously CMI Defence) two-person turret armed with a stabilised 105mm rifled gun, which, in addition to firing standard natures of ammunition, can fire a laser-guided projectile fitted with a tandem high-explosive anti-tank warhead out to a maximum range of 5,000m.

In addition to being used as an IFV, it has a common chassis that can be adapted for a wide range of missions ranging from an armoured personnel carrier (APC) to a weapons carrier.

The company has also brought the latest Cobra II (4x4) light armoured vehicle (LAV), which is being shown in the Land Zone display area. Cobra II is already in service with a number of export customers as well as Turkey. In the APC role, it has a crew of two consisting of commander and driver, and can carry eight dismounts. It is being shown at DSEI fitted with the Keskin turret system armed with a .50 MG.