Ejder Yalcin
The Ejder Yalçın is a Turkish 4x4 armored personnel carrier introduced in 2014, featuring a V-shaped hull for protection against mine blasts.
| Sub-type | Infantry mobility vehicle (IMV), MRAP |
| Crew | 2+9 (11 total) personnels |
| Range | 700 km |
| Mass | 14.0 tons |
| Height | 2.3 m (7.5 ft) |
| Width | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) |
| Length | 5.4 m (17.7 ft) |
| Max. speed | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
| Engine | Cummins diesel engine, 375 hp |
| Weapon 1 | 7.62 mm / 12.7 mm machine gun |
| Weapon 2 | 25 mm autocannon |
| Weapon 3 | 40 mm automatic grenade launcher |
Description
The Ejder Yalçın is a 4x4 armored combat vehicle developed by the Turkish defense manufacturer Nurol Makina. Design work began in the fourth quarter of 2012, and a pre-prototype was displayed at the IDEF defense exhibition in 2013. Mass production of the vehicle started in May 2014.
The vehicle utilizes an all-welded steel armor hull providing protection rated up to STANAG 4569 Level 4. Protection against landmines and improvised explosive devices is built into the design through a V-shaped hull, floating floor plates, and blast mitigation seating. Powered by a Cummins diesel engine, the platform accommodates up to 11 personnel. Weapon options include remote-controlled or manually operated stations equipped with 7.62mm machine guns, 12.7mm machine guns, a 25mm anti-aircraft autocannon, or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher. Two gun ports are also fitted to the roof. The platform can be configured for diverse roles, including armored personnel carrier, infantry fighting vehicle, anti-tank guided missile carrier, mortar carrier, command vehicle, reconnaissance, fire support, combat engineering, medical evacuation, recovery, and nuclear, biological, and chemical defense.
The vehicle is operated by multiple military and security services across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In Turkey, it is utilized by the Turkish Land Forces, the Gendarmerie General Command, and the General Directorate of Security. Foreign operators include Hungary, which produces a local variant named the Gidran under license, and Malaysia, which deploys the vehicle under the name Panthera as part of its UNIFIL contingent in Lebanon. Chadian Ground Forces have operated the type within the UN MINUSMA mission in Mali, while Burkina Faso deployed the vehicle during the January 2022 coup d'état. Additional operators include the Royal Moroccan Army, the Niger Army, the Qatari Emiri Land Force, the National Gendarmerie of Senegal, the Tanzanian Army, the Tunisian Army, and the Border Troops of Uzbekistan's State Security Service.