Uzbekistan's Havztez Unveils Arslon APC Family at IDEX 2024

Uzbekistan’s Havztez has taken a bold step into the international defense market by unveiling its new Arslon armored personnel carrier (APC) family at IDEX 2024. In an unusual display arrangement, the company's land vehicles were showcased at NAVDEX, a naval exhibition, instead of the main land-focused event, drawing significant attention from military experts and potential buyers. This marks the first time the Tashkent-based company has exhibited its Arslon 6×6 and 8×8 APCs on the global stage.

For decades, the Uzbek Ground Forces have relied on Soviet-era armored vehicles, primarily the BTR-80 and BTR-82. However, with Uzbekistan’s growing cooperation with NATO and the need to modernize its military, the shift towards contemporary, NATO-compatible platforms has become a priority. The Arslon APCs represent this transition, offering advanced firepower, enhanced protection, and modern battlefield connectivity.

Arslon 8×8: Power and Protection

The Arslon 8×8 is a formidable armored vehicle with a gross weight of 32,000 kg. It is powered by a 600-horsepower diesel engine paired with an Allison 4700SP transmission, delivering a top speed of 100 km/h and an operational range of 700 km. The powerpack is located on the right side of the vehicle, while the left side houses the driver and commander positions, each with their own access hatches. The gunner, positioned inside the hull, operates the unmanned turret.

This turret closely resembles the Escribano Guardian 30 and is equipped with a Russian-origin 2A42 Shipunov 30mm autocannon. Unlike Spain’s variant of the Guardian 30, the Arslon 8×8 lacks an independent panoramic sight for the commander and an anti-tank missile launcher. However, it features a battlefield target identification system, laser detection and warning, and a gunshot detection system integrated into its fire control system.

The chassis is designed for superior off-road mobility, featuring two evenly spaced axles at the front and rear, with a larger gap in the middle. The vehicle is 8.84 meters long, 3.30 meters wide, and 3.43 meters tall at the turret’s highest point. It boasts an approach angle of 27° and a departure angle of 30°, enabling it to climb 30° inclines, navigate 20° side slopes, and ford water obstacles up to 1.5 meters deep. Its ballistic and blast protection meets Level 4 standards but can be upgraded to Level 5 with an add-on armor kit.

Arslon 6×6: Compact Yet Capable

The Arslon 6×6 is a lighter and more compact variant, with a gross weight of 21,720 kg and a 450-horsepower engine. Measuring 7.25 meters in length and 2.95 meters in width, it stands taller at 3.5 meters due to its manned turret configuration. Unlike the 8×8, the 6×6 variant is armed with a Northrop Grumman Mk44 Bushmaster 30mm chain gun, mounted on a turret that closely resembles the Elbit Systems MT30. The gunner’s optronic suite is positioned on the right side, while a panoramic sight on the left enables hunter-killer capability.

The vehicle retains the same axles as the 8×8, with a 2,000 mm gap between the front and second axle and 1,800 mm between the two rear axles. While mobility performance is identical, base armor protection is slightly lower at Level 3 but can be upgraded to Level 4 with an additional kit.

Strategic Implications and Future Prospects

At IDEX 2024, multiple defense firms confirmed receiving inquiries from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense about potential acquisitions. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan appears keen on adopting the Arslon series for its own forces, with trials for the 8×8 variant beginning in mid-2024. The presence of different turrets at the exhibition suggests that the Uzbek military is still evaluating its preferred caliber standard. With a significant number of BMP-2s still in service, the Soviet-era 2A42 cannon remains a familiar choice, but a shift toward NATO-standard Bushmaster II ammunition is highly likely.

Havztez’s display also included a 155mm self-propelled howitzer, hinting at further expansion in Uzbekistan’s defense manufacturing capabilities. Whether the Arslon series will be exported or remain an exclusive domestic product remains to be seen, but its unveiling signals Uzbekistan’s ambitions to establish itself as a serious player in the armored vehicle market.