Türkiye's Tulpar completes 120mm turret tests

Otokar, the Turkish defense vehicle manufacturer, has completed a series of static and dynamic firing tests for its Tulpar tracked armored combat vehicle in collaboration with Italy's Leonardo, successfully integrating the latter's 120-millimeter HITFACT MkII turret onto the medium-class platform. The trials — conducted after comprehensive safety inspections — evaluated the weapon system, fire control interface and stabilization systems through representative operational scenarios, the companies said.

Modular architecture tested

Sedef Vehbi, Otokar's deputy general manager for military vehicles, said the integration of the large-caliber weapon "showed that the Tulpar platform can meet the complex survivability and firepower needs of modern armed forces." He noted that the vehicle maker's commitment to modular architecture allows the rapid deployment of mission-specific configurations tailored to diverse operational requirements.

Unique firepower claims

Luca Perazzo, deputy managing director of defense systems at Leonardo, stated that the successful tests showcased the modularity of the HITFACT MkII turret. He claimed the weapon represents "the only turret system in the world that mounts a 120-millimeter smoothbore gun on a light or medium-class platform without compromising on main battle tank firepower," highlighting the system's adaptability across different vehicle classes.

Perazzo added that the newly integrated turret system can deploy Leonardo's advanced Vulcano 120 precision-guided ammunition during combat operations. The Vulcano round extends the vehicle's effective range and precision strike capabilities, positioning the Tulpar as a cost-effective alternative to heavier main battle tanks for modern mechanized units.