IDEX 2025: Uzbekistan showcases its family of Arslon APCs
Robert Czulda
Uzbekistan displayed its new family of wheeled armoured personnel carriers (APCs) at IDEX 2025, held in Abu Dhabi from 17-21 February.
The APCs, which come in 6×6 and 8×8 variants, were developed in accordance to NATO standards, which could indicate that Uzbekistan is planning a gradual transition away from Russian wheeled vehicles.
The manufacturer of the Arslon (Lion) vehicles highlights their advantages as including high-level and modular ballistic, mine and improvised explosive device (IED) protection. The vehicles are also equipped with a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) system as well as a fire suppression and explosion mitigation system. Additional onboard systems include laser detection and warning, an unspecified active protection system, a shot detection system and a 360% situational awareness suite.
The 8×8 vehicle’s crew consists of three personnel – commander, driver and gunner – while the interior can accommodate six to eight soldiers. The vehicle’s declared range is 700 km and its maximum speed 100 km/h. The Arslon is powered by a 600 hp diesel engine and weighs 32 tonnes. Its dimensions are 8.84 m in length, 3.3 m in width and 3.43 m in height (including the turret). The vehicle can ford water obstacles up to 1.5 m deep, overcome vertical obstacles up to 30 cm high, and tackle slopes with an incline of 30% forward and 20% sideways.
The second version, the Arslon 6×6, features identical protective systems and equipment, with differences limited to technical specifications. This variant measures 7.25 m in length, 2.95 m in width, and 3.5 m in height (including the turret). It is powered by a 450 hp diesel engine and has an empty weight of 21.72 tonnes. The vehicle’s range is 600 km and its obstacle-crossing capabilities are the same as the 8×8 version.
Both variants are armed with a 30 mm cannon.
So far, no official plans for introducing these vehicles into service have been disclosed. Currently, Uzbekistan’s armed forces operate Russian-made APCs, including the BTR-82, BTR-80, BTR-70 and BTR-60, which may eventually be replaced by the new Arslon family.
