A new phase of military modernization is taking shape in Uzbekistan as the country unveils several domestically developed defense systems with advanced capabilities.
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the unveiling this month at the Nurafshon Special Equipment production facility, where Tashkent showcased the Arslon armored personnel carriers (APCs), the Tofon 155mm self-propelled howitzer, and an upgraded Soviet-era T-64 main battle tank.
Built for Troop Protection
The Arslon family includes 6×6 and 8×8 variants built for troop transport and support missions in complex battlefield environments.
The 22-tonne (48,502-pound) 6×6 version is powered by a 450-horsepower engine, enabling speeds of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) per hour and a range of 650 kilometers (404 miles).
It provides ballistic protection against 12.7mm and 14.5mm rounds and mine resistance equivalent to 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds) of trinitrotoluene (TNT).
The heavier 33-tonne (72,753-pound) Arslon 8×8 uses a 600-horsepower engine to reach speeds of up to 105 kilometers (65 miles) per hour and travel as far as 700 kilometers (435 miles).
It offers enhanced protection against 14.5mm and 30mm rounds, along with mine resistance equivalent to 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of TNT.
Both vehicles are armed with a 30mm automatic cannon and a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun.
Powered by Cummins engines paired with Allison automatic transmissions, they accommodate a crew of three and carry up to eight personnel.
Designed for Long-Range Fires
The lineup also includes the Tofon 155mm self-propelled howitzer mounted on a 6×6 wheeled chassis.
With a weight of 27 tonnes (59,525 pounds), it carries a 155mm/52-caliber gun with 18 rounds of onboard ammunition.
Depending on the ammunition used, it can engage targets at ranges of 41 to 50 kilometers (25 to 31 miles) while sustaining a firing rate of six to seven rounds per minute.
Operated by a crew of four to six, the platform can reportedly transition from standby to combat-ready status in about 30 seconds.
It is intended for fire support, counter-battery missions, strikes against hardened targets, and other long-range engagements.
Reengineering a Soviet-Era Tank
Completing the lineup is a modernized T-64 main battle tank equipped with a 125mm 2A46 smoothbore gun carrying 37 rounds of ammunition.
One of the most significant upgrades is a new 950-horsepower DP222LC diesel engine from South Korea’s Doosan Infracore, replacing the original powerplant and increasing the tank’s top speed to 50 kilometers (31 miles) per hour.
The upgrade package also introduces enhanced armor protection, combining 80mm armor sections with reinforced 80mm-plus-105mm layers across key areas of the vehicle.
