The CFL-120 Karpat medium tank combines FNSS expertise in tracked armoured vehicles, CSG’s industrial and manufacturing capabilities in Slovakia and the firepower of Leonardo’s HITFACT MkII turret. The vehicle is equipped with a 120 mm main gun, with an alternative 105 mm configuration also available depending on customer requirements.
According to the companies, the cooperation will initially focus on the production, sales and further development of the CFL-120 Karpat platform. The project is expected to use CSG’s existing industrial facilities in Slovakia, while gradually introducing technology transfer, involving local suppliers and expanding industrial know-how.
The companies stated that the partnership is intended to strengthen their ability to respond to growing international demand for modern tracked armoured vehicles. They added that the cooperation may later be expanded to include additional products and related defence systems.
Jan Marinov, chief executive of CSG Defence, said, “Cooperation with FNSS represents an important strategic step for CSG.”
“It combines CSG’s experience in the production, servicing, and support of land systems with FNSS’s technological know-how,” Marinov added. “Our shared objective is to offer modern and competitive vehicles for customers in Europe and other regions while further developing CSG’s industrial capabilities in the field of combat vehicles.”
Selim Başbaş, chief executive and board member of FNSS, said, “This cooperation with CSG reflects a shared understanding of the requirements of the modern battlefield environment and the importance of building resilient industrial partnerships.”
“By combining FNSS’s long-standing expertise in tracked armoured vehicle design, particularly the proven Kaplan medium tank platform, with CSG’s industrial capabilities, CFL-120 Karpat brings together mobility, survivability, firepower and mission adaptability,” Başbaş added.
The CFL-120 Karpat is based on the Kaplan MT vehicle previously developed by FNSS for the Indonesian Army. The new platform integrates the HITFACT MkII turret with a more powerful 120 mm weapon, expanding its role from a conventional fire-support platform to a vehicle capable of engaging armoured targets.
The turret is compatible with NATO-standard ammunition and stores ammunition outside the crew compartment to improve survivability in the event of a hit. Secondary armament includes a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and optional remotely operated systems that can mount either additional machine guns or a 40 mm grenade launcher.
According to the manufacturers, the vehicle has a combat weight of up to 34 tonnes, a maximum speed of 70 kilometres per hour and an operational range of around 450 kilometres. The tank is powered by a rear-mounted diesel engine and automatic transmission designed to improve mobility in rugged terrain and soft ground conditions.
The vehicle has been designed with modular armour compliant with the STANAG 4569 standard and can integrate active protection systems against drones, guided missiles and anti-armour projectiles. It also features thermal observation systems, stabilised commander and gunner sights, laser rangefinders and hunter-killer targeting capability for operations in networked battlefield environments.
CSG and FNSS said the CFL-120 Karpat enters the market at a time when armed forces are reassessing the balance between heavy main battle tanks and lighter, more mobile fire-support platforms. The companies added that the vehicle is intended to provide high firepower with lower logistical demands and could appeal to customers in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
