Kazakhstan Evaluates Turkish-Made Combat Vehicle, Weapon System

The Kazakhstan Ministry of Defense announced that the military tested Turkish-made Otokar Arma 8x8 wheeled armored combat vehicle and Aselsan Nefer remote-controlled stabilized weapon system.

The equipment were tested in the Spassk exercise area located in the Karaganda province of the Central Asian country.

The Nefer weapon module consists of a 7.62-millimeter machine gun and a 30-millimeter 2A42 automatic cannon. It comes equipped with a remote-controlled combat system and thermal imaging camera that allows effective night firing. The weapon system’s features include shoot-on-the-move capability for stationary and moving targets with gyro-aided stabilization, day and night imaging, automatic target tracking, automatic ballistic calculation, laser range finder for accurate ballistics, computer-based fire control functions, fired rounds counter or last ammunition warning. It can be integrated with external sensors and command and control systems.

The Arma 8x8 armored combat vehicle has features as per NATO standards. It was delivered to Kazakhstan free of charge by Otokar for extensive tactical, technical, firing and other operational features tests as well as experimental military operations in various climatic conditions. It has an armored monocoque V-shaped steel hull and has a large internal capacity despite a low silhouette.

The modular design of the vehicle enables the installation of a range of weapon systems and equipment based on their particular mission requirements.

It allows the transportation of a maximum of 12 personnel, including a driver and a commander.

Otokar signed an export deal with an African country in October for the sale of the Arma 8x8 vehicles along with the company's other 4x4 tactical wheeled armored vehicles.