Published: Tuesday, 05 May 2015 18:47

KAPLAN-20 new generation of armored fighting vehicle showcased for the first time by FNSS at IDEF

During a ceremony presided by the president of FNSS at IDEF 2015, in Istanbul, the KAPLAN-20 armored fighting vehicle has been for the first time unveiled to the public. KAPLAN-20 is a new generation armored fighting vehicle that has the ability to move together with main battle tank. 20 represents the total combat weight of the vehicle.

The vehicle architecture contains protection systems against mines, rocket propelled grenades and kinetic energy threats. In addition up to date electronic subsystems are also integrated together with high performance power pack, heavy duty suspension and tracks which enables the vehicle to carry heavy loads such as 105 mm gun systems.

KAPLAN-20 has a low silhouette, and with its twin 6 road wheeled tracks, has the ability to operate in hot/cold weather conditions at high speed not only on asphalt and stabilized highways, but also in soft soil, muddy and rough terrains. KAPLAN-20 can reach a speed of 70 km/h. The advanced suspension system, tracks has been designed to reduce vibration and increase road holding. Access to the vehicle is gained through a personnel door on the ramp or the hydraulic ramp located at the rear of the vehicle. On the top. there is a wide hatch for personnel and another hatch that has been specifically designed to maximize the driver's field of view. The maintenance and repair of the power pack are performed via the cabin access hatch and hatches that are at the front of the vehicle. The two fuel tanks are located at the rear for balance and are fully-armored and isolated from the vehicle to ensure the security of personnel.

At IDEF 2015, KAPLAN-20 was fitted with a TEBER-30 turret. TEBER-30 is a medium caliber turret that can be deployed on wheeled and tracked armored vehicles. The TEBER-30 turret is a modular system that is offered in two configurations. The turret can be unmanned, remotely operated from inside the vehicle or manned by a conventional two men crew. The turret incorporates the latest technologies in turret drives, fire control, protection and lethality, as TEBER which in Turkish means "Battle Axe".


FNSS TEBER-30 turret on the KAPLAN-20 Armored Fighting Vehicle at IDEF 2015

KAPLAN-20 is one of the very few vehicles that have amphibious characteristics. Thanks to the two water propulsion systems located at the rear of the vehicle, KAPLAN-20 can perform in deep and water current rate. It can perform pivot turns in the water and even move backwards. In addition to this, it allows the driver to enter the water without any preparation.

The hull of KAPLAN-20 is manufactured and integrated using a ballistic welding technique. The hull is water resistant together with the hatches and lids are water-proofed via seals. While the power pack cabin and the expanded driver area are located in front of the vehicle, the gunner and the commander areas are located in the middle of the vehicle. The personnel carrier version can carry 8 troops in the rear, and the turreted version can carry 6 dismounts.


French made Metravib PILAR V Integrated Acoustic gunshot Detection System on the KAPLAN-20

Survivability systems such as, reduced thermal signature, laser warning system and sniper detection and CBRN protection systems are also applied the vehicle. The KAPLAN-20 showcased at IDEF 2015 was fitted with a French made Metravib PILAR V Integrated Acoustic gunshot Detection System, also selected for the French Army program Scorpion for VBMR Griffon and EBRC Jaguar vehicles.

There are also laser-protected glass periscopes that allows the driver to see outside with wide angle of view which provides, high situational awareness. Integrated night vision systems is standard in all variants. The vehicles structural design enables to improve complete family of vehicles consist of different variants.