Technology : Kazakhstan’s Military Expands Arsenal with Domestically-Branded Taymas 8x8 IFV Combat Vehicle.

On May 7, 2025, during Kazakhstan’s annual military parade, the Taymas 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle made its first public appearance, marking the official introduction of a new domestically branded combat platform blending Turkish, Chinese, and local technologies. The vehicle is built on the Turkish Otokar Arma 8x8 chassis and is equipped with a turret believed to be derived from China’s Norinco VN20 program, according to a detailed technical analysis by Army Recognition. While conflicting claims have emerged online suggesting the turret might be the VN11 or even ASELSAN’s Nefer, Army Recognition’s assessment, based on visual features and known configurations, supports the VN20 origin. The unveiling during the national parade signals Kazakhstan’s ambition to showcase its growing military-industrial capabilities on the regional stage.
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Kazakhstan’s new Taymas 8x8 IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle rolls through Almaty during the annual military parade on May 7, 2025. (Picture source: Kazakhstan National TV footage)

The Taymas 8x8 is a modern infantry fighting vehicle designed for high mobility, heavy firepower, and multi-role adaptability. It utilizes the Arma 8x8 platform developed by Türkiye’s Otokar, known for its battlefield-proven modular structure. The turret system mounted on the Taymas resembles the VN20’s heavier configuration: a two-man turret armed with a 100mm cannon, a 30mm coaxial autocannon, anti-tank missile launchers (likely HJ-12), and a remote-controlled weapon station on top. This combination provides comprehensive capabilities ranging from infantry support to armored threat neutralization, aligning with firepower doctrines similar to Russia’s BMP-3 and China’s ZBD-04A.

The Taymas 8x8 project emerges from Kazakhstan’s broader ambition to expand its defense industrial base while leveraging strategic ties with Türkiye and China. Otokar Central Asia assembles Arma platforms locally, while Kazakhstan has collaborated with ASELSAN on T-72 upgrades, showing a continued pattern of trilateral cooperation. Integrating Norinco turrets into the vehicle reflects a pragmatic procurement strategy, allowing Kazakhstan to bypass export limitations from Western suppliers while maintaining high-caliber firepower and modularity. The Taymas provides a platform well-suited to both open-terrain operations and urban conflict, aligning with Kazakhstan’s security priorities on its northern and eastern borders.

Strategically, the Taymas represents Kazakhstan’s pivot toward hybrid systems that combine proven designs with local production and regional partnerships.While official budget figures have not been disclosed, the domestic assembly of chassis and integration of Chinese turrets likely keeps costs in check, while also supporting local employment and industrial capacity. Similar concepts exist elsewhere, such as the Emirati Rabdan IFV, which combines a Patria AMV chassis with a BMP-3 turret, or Indonesia’s Pandur II, equipped with a Belgian turret. However, Kazakhstan’s offering stands out for its 8x8 configuration, high firepower, and confirmed local participation. Although there have been no public announcements of foreign sales, its debut during the national military parade and industrial involvement from Otokar Central Asia suggest export ambitions in the near future.

Kazakhstan’s introduction of the Taymas 8x8 during its 2025 military parade is not merely a display of military hardware, it is a declaration of intent. Through the combination of Turkish mobility, Chinese firepower, and Kazakh production, the Taymas signals a growing capacity for independent defense innovation. This platform symbolizes Kazakhstan’s emergence as a credible and sovereign actor in the evolving global defense landscape.