Tech Profile: The Kaplan FSRV from FNSS

FNSS has released the Kaplan Combat Fire Support and Reconnaissance Vehicle (FSRV) at the IDEF 2025 exhibition, which is being held in Istanbul from July 22 to 27, 2025. The new vehicle is based on the company’s Kaplan medium tank, which was developed for Indonesia and recently developed into the Kaplan APC. The Kaplan FSRV is designed to support reconnaissance by fire missions in symmetric and asymmetric wars. It draws inspiration from the British Ajax, French Jaguar 6×6 EBRC and the Russian Terminator, according to a July 19 press release. This article provides a technical profile for the vehicle. 

Mission Systems

The Kaplan FSRV is equipped with panoramic day and thermal cameras for the commander, and a multi-functional digital driver dashboard, and wide-angle optical periscopes for the driver. The commander’s sight includes a long-wave or mid-wave thermal imager, a day camera with wide and narrow fields of view and a laser range finder. It includes an automatic target tracking system that generates kinematic lead and improves the probability of a first-round hit with the vehicle’s armaments. 

Optional systems include a suite of 360-degree situational awareness cameras offering day and night vision for the crew, and a Battle Management System (BMS) providing tactical situational awareness. Other user options include the integration of tube-launched surveillance drones or tethered drones (operable while the vehicle is moving), and Electronic Warfare (EW) systems to increase multispectral capabilities and prevent cyber-attacks, the press release states. 

Firepower

The Kaplan FSRV is fitted with the TEBER II Two-Man Turret. Both the gunner and commander can control all turret functions, with a manual backup system for aiming and steering. The main armament is a Bushmaster Mk44 30 mm dual-feed automatic cannon with 300 ready-to-fire rounds, capable of a maximum rate of fire of 200 rounds/minute. It can use various ammunition types, including high explosive, armour-piercing, or programmable airburst rounds, and can be field-converted to fire SuperShot 40 mm (40×180 mm) ammunition. SuperShot 40 offers a significant increase in lethality over the 30 mm rounds against both armoured vehicles and personnel. The rounds it fires are larger and so can carry more explosive or kinetic energy to the target.

Complementing the main gun is a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun with 1,200 ready-to-fire rounds and an external feed 12.7 mm MG with 300 rounds. As an option, the commander’s independent sight can be replaced with an “Overhead Remote-Controlled Weapon Station” (ORCWS), which acts as a panoramic sight with high elevation of 85 degrees for engaging threats on high grounds or drones.

The turret integrates two Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) on either side. These modular launchers support modern Medium Range ATGMs, and increase the lethality potential of the vehicle. Alternatively, the ATGM launchers can be replaced with loitering munitions for both ISR and lethality, which would presumably give the vehicle crew the ability to engage targets well beyond the line of sight. The electrical, two-axis stabilised gun turret drive system helps stabilise the turret and improve accuracy when firing on the move. The main armament can be elevated from -10° to +45° at over 60°/second. 

Mobility

The Kaplan FSRV is built on the Kaplan MT medium tank platform, currently in service with the Indonesian Army. The Kaplan was built for rapid force projection and adaptability in diverse terrains, the press release explains. The Kaplan FSRV features a power pack combined with electronically controlled systems, an auxiliary power unit (APU), and heavy-duty suspension. The powerpack is at the rear of the vehicle, meaning that the tracks are essentially pushed rather than pulled, which can improve mobility in some circumstances. It also means improved driver situational awareness as the front of the hull can be designed for a wide-angle optical view without needing to open the top hatch. The mobility system also reduces vibration, improving user ergonomics and extending the life cycle of mission equipment. For reference, the Kaplan MT – which carries a 105 mm main gun in a turret – weighs 30 tonnes, has a top speed of 70 km/h and a 660 hp engine. Its operational range is 450 km and it can ford to a depth of 1.2 metres. 

Strategic Mobility

The Kaplan FSRV is transportable on highways and railways and is compatible with a range of strategic airlifters, including the A400M, C-17 Globemaster, C-5 Galaxy, An-124, and Il-76. This means that the Kaplan FSRV can be rapidly deployed into most theatres using airlift, and provide a high level of firepower, which is not always the case for reconnaissance vehicles. 

Protection

The Kaplan FSRV incorporates ballistic and mine protection through hardened steel in its base construction, and the vehicle allows for integration for add-on modular armour and bar armour, enabling users to customise protection levels based on threats and mission requirements. Add-on armour is often provided by a composite array including high hardness ceramic tiles and other materials like Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The ceramics will break apart bullets and medium calibre ammunition, allowing the softer backing to catch fragments and any remaining energy. This is an effective solution for some ballistic threats, but will add size and weight to the platform the greater the threat that must be overcome. 

Optional integrated systems include a laser warning system (LWS), a gunshot detection system, and active protection systems if required. The latter in particular would significantly increase the protection of the vehicle against ATGMs. Without an APS, the only viable solution within this vehicle’s payload would be explosive reactive armour (ERA) The interior design prioritises ergonomics and crew comfort, aiming to enhance overall performance during operations. For close-in protection, two banks of nine 40 mm grenade launchers (18 total) are mounted on both sides of the turret, with options for other calibres.

Calibre comment

Reconnaissance remains a critical element of modern warfare, although some forces may increasingly delegate that task to UAVs and uncrewed ground vehicles. To some extent, it is a very high risk endeavour as it may involve making first contact with an enemy. In past eras of armoured vehicle design, reconnaissance vehicles were light and highly mobile, designed to move quickly and quietly. The British Army’s CVR(T) family is a good example of this, with an average weight of just seven tonnes. However, this meant lower protection, which is now often being reversed with bigger and heavier platforms. Ajax, the CVR(T)’s replacement, is around five-times heavier than the original design, for example. This growth flows from the demands for additional protection and firepower, which increase the area that must be protected as well as the amount of armour that has to be carried.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on July 22, 2025. Credit for the lead image is FNSS.