ROME, ITALY — Turkish land systems manufacturer Otokar and Italian defence group Leonardo have completed the integration and live-firing tests of the TULPAR medium tank equipped with Leonardo’s HITFACT MkII 120mm turret. The trials were conducted at Italy’s UTTAT Nettuno test range near Rome.
The integration combines the firepower of a 120mm main battle tank gun with TULPAR’s tracked mobility, protection and modular architecture.
Integration and Live-Fire Tests
Before the firing trials, engineering teams from Otokar and Leonardo completed an integration programme covering the mechanical, electrical, electronic and software interfaces between the TULPAR platform and HITFACT MkII turret.
The teams conducted functional checks, safety inspections and system validation to verify the performance, reliability and interoperability of the integrated system.
The platform then underwent live-fire trials under both static and dynamic conditions. The tests covered different operational scenarios and assessed the weapon system, fire control system, weapon stabilisation and overall functionality.
According to the two companies, the integrated weapon system met all planned test objectives.
Otokar and Leonardo Statements
Sedef Vehbi, Military Cluster Head at Otokar, said the programme demonstrates the TULPAR’s ability to integrate advanced large-calibre turret systems while providing the mobility, survivability and firepower required by modern armed forces.
Vehbi also highlighted TULPAR’s modular architecture, which allows different mission-specific weapon systems to be integrated onto the platform.
Luca Perazzo, Deputy Managing Director of Leonardo’s Defence Systems Business Area, said the successful trials demonstrate the technological capabilities and modularity of the HITFACT MkII turret.
According to Perazzo, the HITFACT MkII is currently the only system featuring a 120mm smoothbore gun that provides main battle tank-level firepower while being suitable for integration on light and medium platforms. The turret can also use Vulcano 120 guided ammunition for precision engagements.
Leonardo also offers the HITFIST family of medium-calibre turrets, including configurations equipped with the company’s 30mm X-GUN technology.
HITFACT MkII Turret
The HITFACT MkII is a lightweight, modular and fully digitalised turret equipped with panoramic electro-optical systems for the commander and gunner.
It can be configured with either a 105/52mm rifled gun or a 120/45mm low-recoil smoothbore gun. The 120mm version can fire NATO-standard 120mm ammunition under STANAG 4385.
Leonardo says the turret is qualified, in production and in operational service. It is designed to integrate a high-pressure main battle tank gun onto both wheeled and light tracked vehicles.
For counter-unmanned aerial system missions, the turret can also be fitted with a HITROLE CUAS remote weapon station equipped with Leonardo’s Blaze 30×113 gun.
The HITFACT MkII is already used on the Centauro II wheeled combat vehicle.
TULPAR Medium Tank
The TULPAR is Otokar’s next-generation modular tracked armoured combat vehicle. Its scalable architecture supports a gross vehicle weight range of 28 to 45 tonnes.
The common platform can be configured for several roles, including medium tank, infantry fighting vehicle, fire support, air defence, mortar, recovery and medical evacuation.
Otokar says the vehicle has been tested in demanding climatic and terrain conditions and provides high levels of ballistic and mine protection.
Depending on configuration, TULPAR uses a 700–1,100 hp turbocharged diesel engine, with a maximum road speed of around 70 km/h and a range of approximately 500–600 km.
International Market Interest
Otokar and Leonardo first displayed the TULPAR equipped with the HITFACT MkII turret at the World Defense Show in Riyadh in 2024.
The integrated TULPAR-HITFACT MkII configuration is also one of four finalists shortlisted by the Brazilian Army in its programme to replace its ageing Leopard 1A5 tank fleet.
With the completion of the 2026 integration and live-fire trials, Otokar and Leonardo said they will continue exploring further cooperation in land combat systems and integrated solutions for potential customers worldwide.
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