CSG and FNSS Join Forces to Produce the CFL-120 Karpat Tank

On the second day of the Eurosatory 2026 exhibition, Czechoslovak Group (CSG) and FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.Ş. signed a framework agreement to establish a joint venture, Danube Defence Systems, whose flagship product will be the CFL-120 Karpat medium tank, based on the Kaplan MT platform.

This was reported in a press release by CSG.

As part of the project, CSG will primarily provide manufacturing capacity using the production facilities of MSM Land Systems in Trenčín. FNSS will provide technology transfer and innovation.

The partnership combines FNSS’s expertise in tracked armored platforms with the industrial capabilities of CSG’s Slovak subsidiary, MSM Land Systems.

At the same time, the goal of the collaboration is to strengthen both partners’ ability to respond to the growing demand for modern tracked armored vehicles in Europe and other markets.

Danube Defence Systems’ flagship product will be the CFL-120 Karpat medium tank, based on the FNSS Kaplan MT platform.

Upon completion of the transaction and fulfillment of the relevant conditions, CSG Defence is expected to hold a 51% stake in the company, with FNSS holding the remaining 49%.

CFL-120 Karpat

The CFL-120 Karpat is designed based on the Kaplan MT as a platform that provides main battle tank-level firepower but with lower weight, greater tactical and strategic mobility, and reduced logistical burdens. There are armament variants featuring 105-mm and 120-mm cannons.

The 120-mm cannon with the Hitfact MkII turret from Italy’s Leonardo S.p.A. is compatible with standard NATO ammunition and can be operated with either a manual or automatic loading system. Secondary armament may consist of a twin 7.62-millimeter machine gun configuration and an additional 7.62-millimeter or 12.7-millimeter machine gun, at the customer’s discretion.

With a combat weight of up to 34 metric tons, the Karpat is significantly lighter than the Leopard 2A8 (approximately 70 metric tons). It has a maximum speed of 70 km/h and a range of about 450 kilometers. Optionally, the tank can be equipped with modular additional armor in accordance with the STANAG 4569 standard. It is also possible to install an active protection system that provides defense against drones, guided missiles, and armor-piercing shells.

In addition to the CFL-120 tank, Danube Defence Systems is expected to offer other variants within its family of medium-weight armored vehicles, including armored personnel carriers (APCs) and infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs).

The two companies launched their strategic partnership on May 12 of this year at the presentation of the new CFL-120 tank. Given the Slovak Minister of Defense’s remarks regarding procurements of light armored vehicles in 2025, we are seeing the CSG industrial and technology group aligning itself with the realities of Slovakia’s defense vision.