As reported by the Uzbek media on July 15, 2024, prototypes of the modified version of the MRAP Tarlon-M class armored vehicle (4x4) and the Arslon wheeled armored personnel carrier (8x8) developed by the Defense Industry Agency under the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan and created "according to NATO standards" were transferred to military tests in Uzbekistan. The manufacturer of both machines is the Krantas Group machine-building association (Tashkent).
A prototype of the Uzbek Arslon armored personnel carrier (8x8) (c) a frame from the video of the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan
The Tarlon-M machine is a modified version of the Tarlon machine first introduced in Uzbekistan in 2020. Initially, Tarlon was considered a licensed clone of the famous Ejder Yalçın 4x4 armored vehicle of the Turkish company Nurol Makina, however, representatives of Nurol Makina in August 2020 denied their participation in the creation of the Tarlon armored car, and stated that they became aware of the existence of Tarlon only from media reports, and that Nurol Makina's participation in the mass production of Tarlon "cannot there should be no speech." The Uzbek side announced the organization of serial assembly of Tarlon at the Krantas Group plant (former LLC "Kran va Maxsus Texnikalar" - LLC "Cranes and Special Equipment"), but so far it has not begun and in 2023 it was only reported there about the manufacture of another Tarlon prototype.
Now, as stated, the Tarlon-M has become the fourth modification of the Tarlon-M armored car. It is reported that it has a combat weight of 13.5-14.5 tons, a capacity of up to 9 people and is equipped with a remote-controlled combat module with a 14.5 mm machine gun developed by domestic specialists.
The Arslon (8x8) armored personnel carrier has a combat weight of 32 to 35 tons and can carry up to 11 people, including three crew members and eight paratroopers. The APC is equipped with a modern combat module with a 30 mm automatic cannon (apparently 2A42) and a 7.62mm machine gun. It is claimed that Arslon has protection for the frontal projection of the STANAG 4569 Level 6 and Level 4 sides and has a Level 4a/4b mine protection capable of withstanding an explosion of 10 kg of TNT equivalent.
A prototype of the Uzbek Arslon armored personnel carrier (8x8) (c) footage from the video of the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan
A prototype of the Uzbek armored vehicle of the MRAP Tarlon-M class (4x4) (c) a frame from the video of the Ministry of Defense of Uzbekistan
(c) nova24.uz
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