Turkey deploys first domestic electric armored personnel carrier

Turkey has added three units of the E-ZPT, the nation’s first electric armored personnel carrier, to the Land Forces Command inventory. Developed by Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) under the coordination of the Ministry of National Defense's General Directorate of Military Factories, the project aims to modernize the M113 series of armored vehicles.

The E-ZPT successfully completed a 3,000-kilometer durability test involving various terrains, including off-road, asphalt, and stabilized roads. It also passed performance tests for 60% steep inclines, 30% side slopes, and trench crossings under extreme temperature conditions.

Technically, the vehicle can carry a total of seven personnel, including a driver, commander, gunner, and four crew members. It features a 100% electric propulsion system that reduces acoustic and thermal signatures. The vehicle has a range of approximately 150 kilometers on its internal battery, which can be fast-charged from 20% to 80% in 1.5 hours, and can extend its range to 650 kilometers using generator support. The E-ZPT has a fully loaded weight of about 15 tons, a 2.5-ton payload capacity, and is equipped with a 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon system. The project plans for a total of 50 vehicles to be integrated into the inventory.