Turkey continues to break new ground in its efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities through domestic and innovative technologies. The country’s first hybrid armored combat vehicle, HIZIR, developed through a strategic collaboration between Aselsan and Katmerciler, will be unveiled at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF’17). This development represents a significant step toward reducing foreign dependency in critical military platforms and enhancing the technological depth of land systems.

The project integrates an advanced electric motor developed by Aselsan with Katmerciler’s production-ready 4x4 tactical armored combat vehicle HIZIR. With this integration, Turkey gains its first-ever hybrid armored vehicle, bringing a new technological dimension to modern armored platforms. The hybrid system will also serve as a foundation for future-generation military vehicles, offering advantages such as reduced mechanical complexity, the ability to use smaller internal combustion engines, and greater design flexibility.

HIZIR already stands out as one of the strongest 4x4 tactical armored vehicles in its class, meeting NATO standards with its enhanced ballistic protection, high resistance to mines, and fully completed road and performance tests. The addition of the electric motor not only provides fuel efficiency but also grants the armored vehicle a critical tactical capability: silent movement. This feature will allow military units to approach adversaries stealthily during operations, significantly increasing operational effectiveness in high-risk environments.

Furkan Katmerci, Vice Chairman of Katmerciler Executive Board, expressed pride in collaborating with Aselsan on a project that will shape the future of the Turkish defense sector. He emphasized that the successful implementation of the hybrid concept will open new opportunities in next-generation armored vehicle design. The hybrid HIZIR will be introduced simultaneously at both companies’ stands during the fair, offering visitors the chance to examine the new technology up close.

Katmerciler will also showcase its extensive defense portfolio at IDEF’17, including the KHAN armored personnel carrier, a newly developed 4x4 armored ambulance, and the NEFER armor system. These systems, along with various armored security and support vehicles such as TOMA units, armored excavators, armored buses, and tankers, reflect the company’s broad technological capabilities. The hybrid HIZIR is expected to play a pioneering role in shaping future armored vehicle concepts in the Turkish defense industry.