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The Brazilian Army has narrowed its selection to four finalists in its New Tracked Armored Family Program, with Türkiye's Otokar Tulpar joining Sweden's BAE Systems CV90, Spain/Austria's GDELS ASCOD and Germany's Rheinmetall Lynx following an international evaluation of 11 companies, according to the Army's Project Department (EPEx) preliminary report released after the Aug. 1, 2024, request for information and proposals.
The acquisition program aims to replace Brasília's aging Leopard 1A5BR tanks with new armored combat tanks (VBC CC) and introduce modern infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) to complete the country's force structure modernization efforts.
Three of the four shortlisted candidates are offering integration with the Leonardo-manufactured HITFACT MkII turret system, the same weapon system used in Brazil's recently acquired Centauro II BR vehicles, with plans for assembly in Brazil.
"Tulpar is set to compete with the Italian HITFACT MK-II turret from Leonardo when it comes to light tank configuration," according to Tecnologia & Defesa Editor Paulo Roberto Bastos Jr., who first reported the shortlist announcement on 30 August.
The Turkish defense manufacturer's Tulpar platform stands at the most advanced stage of the integration process, with first firing tests expected by year's end. Otokar has proposed Aselsan's Korhan turret for the Tulpar configuration.
The Tulpar, which made its debut with the HITFACT MK-II turret in 2023, features a modular design that can accommodate weapon systems ranging from 7.62mm to 120mm, including air defense and mortar systems.
Rheinmetall is offering its Lynx platform with the Skyranger 30 KCE air defense version, while BAE Systems' CV90 model comes equipped with its proprietary 120mm L44A1 gun and 30mm Bushmaster II weapon systems.
However, the proposed CV90120 MKIV version remains in development, with the first prototype planned for 2027.
The Tulpar platform features a front-mounted powerpack with a turbocharged diesel engine providing 700 to 1,100 horsepower, a torsion bar suspension system with seven dual rubber-tire road wheels per side, and an Automatic Track Tension system for enhanced mobility across different terrain conditions.
Brazil may also seek a successor to its Gepard 1A2 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns to counter modern UAV and cruise missile threats.
For the Tulpar, air defense options include the KORKUT 35mm system with KALKAN 050-G AESA radars and KANGAL jammers, or the upcoming GURZ 140 configuration featuring eight MANPADS and one 35mm revolver cannon.
The KORKUT system's 35mm ATOM ammunition has demonstrated combat effectiveness against various UAV threats.
The Rheinmetall Lynx offers Skyranger 30 and Skyranger 35 systems, with the newer Skyranger 30 featuring fixed AESA radars and built-in missile launchers for MANPADS or SADM C-UAS missiles.
The common platform design approach across vehicle variants provides significant logistics advantages while reducing training requirements.
The Tulpar's modular architecture enables configurations for medium tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, reconnaissance vehicles, command and control vehicles, air defense systems, ambulances, repair and recovery vehicles, and mortar carriers.
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