CSG and FNSS unveil CFL-120 Karpat combat vehicle

The CFL-120 Kaplan was displayed at IDEB 2026. (CSG)

Czechoslovak Group (CSG) and Türkiye's FNSS unveiled the CFL-120 Karpat combat vehicle at the IDEB 2026 defence exhibition held in Bratislava, Slovakia, from 12-14 May 2026. The medium tank is equipped with Leonardo's HITFACT MkII turret with a 120 mm gun.

The vehicle was unveiled as part of the strategic cooperation between CSG and FNSS presented at IDEB, with a focus on the production, sale, and further development of selected armoured platforms and related systems. The two companies said in a press release on 12 May that the initial phase of the cooperation will primarily cover the CFL-120 Karpat, with the possibility of later expanding to include additional products.

The companies expect the project to leverage CSG's existing industrial capacities in Slovakia and to gradually introduce technology transfer, with the involvement of local suppliers. The cooperation is also intended to strengthen both companies' ability to respond to growing demand for modern tracked armoured vehicles in Europe and other markets, according to CSG.

Strategic step

CSG Defence CEO Jan Marinov said, “Cooperation with FNSS represents an important strategic step for CSG. It combines CSG's experience in the production, servicing, and support of land systems with FNSS's technological know-how. Our shared objective is to offer modern and competitive vehicles for customers in Europe and other regions while further developing CSG's industrial capabilities in the field of combat vehicles.”

Emphasising the importance of building resilient industrial partnerships, FNSS CEO and member of the board Selim Baybaş added, “By combining FNSS's long-standing expertise in tracked armoured vehicle design, particularly the proven Kaplan medium tank platform, with CSG's industrial capabilities, CFL-120 Karpat brings together mobility, survivability, firepower, and mission adaptability.”

MBT firepower