Czechoslovak Group Unveils New CFL-120 Karpat Medium Tank with 120mm Gun

The new CFL-120 Karpat medium tank was unveiled at the IDEB 2026 international defense industry exhibition in Bratislava. The vehicle is designed to provide firepower on par with main battle tanks while offering significantly lower weight and increased mobility.

Representatives of the Czechoslovak Group (CSG) and the Turkish company FNSS Savunma Sistemleri announced the start of cooperation and joint development of tracked armored vehicles.

The platform’s design is based on a Turkish-developed tracked chassis, and serial production is planned to be launched at CSG’s industrial facilities in Slovakia. The tank is equipped with the Italian HITFACT MkII turret from Leonardo.

The cooperation involves a full technology transfer and the gradual involvement of local Slovak component suppliers.

The CFL-120 Karpat’s main armament consists of a 120mm smoothbore gun, which is fully compatible with NATO-standard ammunition. Depending on the customer’s requirements, the vehicle can also be manufactured in a configuration with a 105mm gun.

The turret design places the ammunition outside the fighting compartment, significantly increasing the crew’s survivability in the event the vehicle is hit. The gun’s feeding system can be either manually or automatically loaded.

The tank’s secondary armament includes a twin 7.62mm machine gun and a remotely controlled module. A 12.7mm machine gun or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher can be mounted on it.

The vehicle’s combat weight does not exceed 34 tons, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 70 km/h. The powerplant, consisting of a diesel engine and an automatic transmission, is located in the rear of the hull.

Crew protection is provided by modular armor. Standard equipment includes protection systems against weapons of mass destruction, an automatic fire suppression system, and air conditioning.

The tank’s digital architecture allows for the integration of various combat management systems, laser warning systems, and navigation equipment. It is also designed to accommodate active protection systems against anti-tank missiles and attack drones.

The CFL-120 Karpat is a development of the Kaplan MT tank, which is already in service with the Indonesian Army. The main difference in the new variant is the switch to a more powerful 120-mm gun.

Slovakia is considering several options for modernizing its own tank forces, including the Polish version of the Korean K2 and the Swedish CV90120. The new Karpat could also potentially join the list of options for arming the Slovak Army.