Kazakhstan has announced plans to begin local production of OTOKAR tracked armored vehicles, underscoring the country’s drive to modernize its armed forces and strengthen domestic defense manufacturing. The decision was confirmed following a visit by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to the Besqaru Defense Industrial Plant, with details reported by state news agency Kazinform on January 3, 2026.
According to Kazinform, the announcement followed the president’s inspection of the facility on December 24, 2025, during which he emphasized the importance of expanding Kazakhstan’s indigenous military production capabilities. The move aligns with Astana’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers while building a sustainable and technologically advanced defense industrial base.
The Besqaru plant, located in the Karaganda region, has already established itself as a key hub for armored vehicle manufacturing. It currently produces locally adapted versions of Turkish-designed wheeled platforms, including the Taimas 8×8, based on OTOKAR’s Arma 8×8, and the Aibar 4×4, derived from the amphibious Cobra II. The introduction of a tracked armored vehicle production line represents a major expansion of the facility’s capabilities.
Although officials have not formally disclosed the exact model, defense sources cited by Army Recognition indicate that the most likely candidate is OTOKAR’s Tulpar tracked infantry fighting vehicle. If confirmed, this would mark the first domestic production of a modern tracked IFV in Central Asia, enhancing Kazakhstan’s ability to field armored units capable of operating alongside main battle tanks in high-threat environments.
