Uzbekistan has marked a milestone in its defense capabilities with the development of its first domestic armored personnel carrier (APC), named "Arslon."
The Uzbekistan armed forces are set to receive the newly developed Arslon APC alongside a modernized version of the Tarlon-M lightly armored vehicle, which boasts enhanced tactical and technical features. The introduction of these vehicles aims to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Uzbek military.
The Arslon APC is an eight-wheeled vehicle equipped with a state-of-the-art combat module, enabling it to execute combat missions efficiently, both during the day and at night. It features class 6 front-side protection and class 4 side protection, with a weight range from 32 to 35 tons. The vehicle is armed with a 30-mm cannon and a 7.62-mm machine gun and can carry up to 11 personnel, including three crew members and eight landing troops. Additionally, it offers mine protection capable of withstanding 10 kg of TNT equivalent and meets NATO standards, ensuring high international military specifications.
In addition to the Arslon APC, the Uzbek armed forces will receive the fourth version of the Tarlon-M lightly armored vehicle. This upgraded model includes closed digital communications and satellite navigation systems, enhancing its combat effectiveness. The vehicle has successfully passed factory tests and is currently undergoing military trials before its official deployment.
The development of the Arslon APC and the modernization of the Tarlon-M vehicle were spearheaded by the private manufacturing company Krantas Group. Akmal Karimov, a representative of Krantas Group, emphasized that the Arslon APC was designed to meet NATO standards.
The journey towards self-sufficiency in military vehicle production began in January 2021, when Krantas Group and the Tuitepa Metal Structures Plant, a subsidiary of Krantas Group, proposed an ambitious project to establish a production facility in Nurafshan, Tashkent region. This facility was envisioned to manufacture a range of military and special equipment, including lightly armored vehicles, tankers, trucks, tractors, garbage trucks, snow removal vehicles, and other specialized vehicles. The investment project, presented to the president of Uzbekistan, was valued at $55mn.
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