By The European Times | Created at 2026-10-19 08:01:23 | Updated at 2026-10-19 20:00:02
11 hours ago
The E-ZPT, an electric armored personnel carrier (APC) developed at military facilities under Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense, has entered service with the country’s army, the Ministry announced.
The manufacturer—the Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE)—has delivered three E-ZPT units to the Land Forces. The project envisions a total of 50 such vehicles entering service, the agency added.
MKE confirmed that the three vehicles successfully passed field tests. The manufacturer noted that the E-ZPT is based on a modernized version of the M113 series of armored personnel carriers and features an extended service life; the technological approach also aimed to reduce reliance on foreign-made powertrains.
Furthermore, MKE stated that it is capable of equipping various other models of armored and all-terrain vehicles—beyond this specific APC—with a fully electric propulsion system. This transformation helps reduce the need to purchase new vehicles and lowers maintenance costs. Subjected to trials simulating potential battlefield scenarios, the E-ZPT successfully completed a total of 3,000 kilometers of endurance testing during its qualification process—comprising 1,600 km on rough terrain, 800 km on asphalt, and 600 km on gravel. The vehicle also successfully passed tests involving the traversal of 60% longitudinal and 30% lateral slopes, as well as the crossing of trenches; it was further tested under conditions of extreme heat and cold. The E-ZPT can carry a total of 7 personnel: a driver, a commander, a gunner, and a 4-member crew.
The E-ZPT offers a range of 150 kilometers on its built-in battery, extending to 650 kilometers with the use of a generator; it accelerates from 0 to 50 km/h in 8 seconds. The vehicle’s battery can be charged from 20% to 80% in one and a half hours via a fast-charging system.
According to the manufacturer, the E-ZPT’s fully electric propulsion system results in a significantly lower acoustic and thermal signature, and the platform is compatible with various types of payloads. With a fully loaded weight of approximately 15 tons, the vehicle can carry a payload of up to 2.5 tons and is equipped with a 12.7mm remote weapon station.
Illustrative photo: pexels-lazaydin53-3122088
