Kazakhstan’s armed forces have unveiled the Taimas 8×8 next-generation wheeled infantry fighting vehicle to the public.
The platform, seen at a military parade in Astana, was developed in trilateral cooperation with Turkey and China.
The event was attended by representatives from Turkish tactical vehicle manufacturer Otokar and Beijing’s state-owned Norinco.
Kazakhstan’s Taimas system is part of a program led by local industry partner Astana MPR to provide the country’s military with a modern ground combat capability.
The Taimas System
The Taimas is modeled after the chassis of Otokar’s flagship Arma steel-hull wheeled armored vehicle, which is currently operational in the Turkish Armed Forces, Estonian Defence Forces, and other non-NATO allies.
Its primary feature is a mounted weapon system with a dual-caliber 100-millimeter and 30-millimeter configuration.
Multiple sources noted that the turret could be Norinco’s VN11 product or the Nefer, which is offered by Turkish arms producer Aselsan.
‘Powerful’ Capability
Taimas developers revealed that the vehicle weighs 30 tons (27,215 kilograms), has an amphibious configuration, and a top speed of 110 kilometers (68 miles) per hour, according to a report from Defence Blog.
It has already completed over 50,000 kilometers (31,069 miles) of testing in three regions with extreme temperature differences in Kazakhstan and has been codified for military use by the government’s defense agency.
“This is arguably one of the most powerful [infantry fighting vehicles] in its class globally,” Astana MPR Director Vadim Shakshakbayev commented.
“It can survive a mine blast of up to 10 kilograms (22 pounds) beneath the hull and remain fully operational under radiation threat conditions. Even with a heavy turret, the vehicle retains full amphibious functionality.”