Armored Vehicles

BMC Kirpi

Also known as
  • Kirpi I
  • Kirpi 1
  • Kirpi II
  • BMC Kirpi 4x4
  • BMC Kirpi II 4x4
  • BMC Kirpi 6x6
  • Yeni Kirpi
  • BMC 350 MRAP

The BMC Kirpi is a Turkish mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle family built for protected troop transport under mine, IED, artillery, and small-arms threat. Reporting traces the program from a 2008-2009 development cycle to later Kirpi II upgrades, while the platform has appeared in Turkish counterinsurgency service, Turkish-backed Libyan deliveries, and Ukrainian wartime service.

BMC Kirpi, Mine-resistant ambush protected armored personnel carrier, Armored Vehicles
Image source: UA Marines BMC Kirpi 04

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Turkey
Built by
BMC
Type
Mine-resistant ambush protected armored personnel carrier
Service note
Modern; documented in Ukrainian service from 2022
Designer
BMC
Designed
Design work began in 2008; first prototype reported in 2009
Unit cost
Reported contract-average: about US$662,000 per vehicle, based on a $350 million Turkish order for 529 vehicles
Produced
Kirpi production followed the 2009 Turkish order; Kirpi II was contracted in 2017 and introduced in 2018
Number built
More than 1,500 reported sold by 2022

Specifications

Crew and passengers
13 personnel on the Kirpi 4x4 troop carrier configuration
Armament
7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun, with remote weapon station options
Engine
Cummins ISL9-series turbo diesel, 375 PS class on listed Kirpi 4x4 variants
Mobility
4x4 driveline; up to 105 km/h and about 800 km range on BMC's Kirpi 4x4 listing
Protection
V-shaped monocoque armored hull with STANAG 4569 ballistic, mine, and IED protection
Dimensions
Kirpi 4x4 listed at 7.35 m long, 2.64 m wide, and 3.21 m high
Gross vehicle weight
19,710 kg on BMC's Kirpi 4x4 listing
Family Configurations

The family combines a baseline 4x4 troop carrier, a Kirpi II upgrade branch, a 6x6 configuration, and ambulance bodies using the same mine-resistant vehicle concept.

ConfigurationDocumented distinctionSource label
Kirpi 4x4BMC describes the original 4x4 as a monocoque armored-cabin mine-resistant vehicle with troop-carrier features.Kirpi
Kirpi II 4x4Army Recognition describes Kirpi II as a new-generation evolution with independent suspension, composite armor, and remote weapon station options.BMC showcases new generation Kirpi II MRAP vehicle at WDS 2024
Kirpi ambulanceBMC describes the ambulance model as retaining family technical features while using a custom medical interior.Kirpi
Variants

BMC presents Kirpi as a mine-resistant vehicle family spanning the baseline 4x4 troop carrier, Kirpi II upgrade path, 6x6 configuration, and ambulance bodies.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Kirpi 4x4Baseline 4x4 MRAP

BMC describes the original Kirpi 4x4 as a monocoque armored-cabin mine-resistant vehicle with protected troop-carrier features.

Sources: Kirpi

Kirpi II 4x4New-generation 4x4 MRAP

Army Recognition describes Kirpi II as an evolution of Kirpi I with independent suspension, composite armor, remote weapon station options, and 13-person capacity.

Sources: BMC showcases new generation Kirpi II MRAP vehicle at WDS 2024

Kirpi 6x6Six-wheel family configuration

BMC lists a 6x6 Kirpi configuration within the same mine-resistant family.

Sources: Kirpi Technical Specifications

Kirpi ambulanceProtected medical evacuation body

BMC describes the ambulance model as retaining the family's general technical features while using a custom medical interior.

Sources: Kirpi

Common Armament Options

BMC lists the Kirpi with either 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine-gun armament, depending on configuration.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
7.62 mm machine gun, Belt-fed general-purpose / vehicle-mounted 7.62 mm machine gun class, Infantry Weapons7.62 mm machine gun7.62 mm machine-gun fit

BMC lists 7.62 mm machine guns among the Kirpi's armament options.

Sources: Kirpi Technical Specifications

12.7 mm heavy machine gun, Belt-fed, crew-served heavy machine gun class, Infantry Weapons12.7 mm heavy machine gun12.7 mm machine-gun fit

BMC lists 12.7 mm machine guns among the Kirpi's armament options.

Sources: Kirpi Technical Specifications

Timeline

BMC Kirpi Key Events

  1. Prototype and first Turkish order

    Defense News later reported that Kirpi design work began in 2008, the first prototype appeared in 2009, and the original Turkish contract covered 614 vehicles.

    Sources: Turkey sends 50 mine-resistant vehicles to Ukraine, with more expected

  2. Counter-IED demand rises

    Defense News reported that renewed Turkey-PKK violence and IED casualties were pushing Turkish authorities toward additional armored vehicles, especially Kirpi MRAPs.

    Sources: Spiral of Violence Boosts Turk Armor Industry

  3. New-generation contract

    Defense News reported a Turkish contract for 529 tactical wheeled armored vehicles worth about $350 million and noted that the deal also involved the Yeni Kirpi advanced version.

    Sources: BMC lands Turkey contract to sell 529 vehicles - Defense News

  4. Tripoli delivery

    The Arab Weekly reported Turkish-supplied BMC Kirpi armored vehicles arriving at Tripoli port for Government of National Accord-aligned forces during the Libyan capital fight.

    Sources: Tripoli govt boasts of new weapons from Turkey despite arms embargo

  5. Ukraine deliveries

    Defense News reported Turkey sending an initial batch of 50 Kirpi vehicles to Ukraine, with more expected for Ukrainian forces, including marine brigades; Oryx later listed visually documented Ukrainian Kirpi and Kirpi II losses.

    Sources: Turkey sends 50 mine-resistant vehicles to Ukraine, with more expected, Oryx Ukrainian Equipment Losses

Media

BMC Kirpi Videos

BMC Kirpi Images

BMC Kirpi, Mine-resistant ambush protected armored personnel carrier, Armored Vehicles - view 1
Source: Kirpi II at IDEF 2019
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Sources

A Look at the Turkish Defense Industry Land Platforms/Systems SectorPublisher: Defence Turkey | Note: In the 1984 Kurdish-Turkish Conflict, BMC Kirpi MRAPs were used by Turkish forces in Turkey's war against the PKK and withstood roadside and IED attacks in recent operations. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Spiral of Violence Boosts Turk Armor IndustryPublisher: Defense News | Note: Supports direct 1984 Kurdish-Turkish Conflict context by connecting renewed Turkey-PKK violence, IED casualties, and Turkish demand for Kirpi MRAPs in anti-terror operations. | Accessed: 2026-07-06KirpiPublisher: BMC | Note: Official product page supporting manufacturer background, Kirpi family variants, protection concept, and vehicle role. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Kirpi Technical SpecificationsPublisher: BMC | Note: Official technical specifications for Kirpi variants, including 4x4 driveline, engine, protection, performance, dimensions, personnel capacity, and vehicle weight. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Kirpi BMC 350 MRAPPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Reference profile supporting background, protection, armament, troop capacity, and mobility data. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Turkey sends 50 mine-resistant vehicles to Ukraine, with more expectedPublisher: Defense News | Note: Documents Kirpi MRAPs delivered to the Ukrainian military for 2014 Russia-Ukraine War service. | Accessed: 2026-06-20BMC lands Turkey contract to sell 529 vehicles - Defense NewsPublisher: Defense News | Note: Reports the 2017 Turkish order for 529 tactical wheeled armored vehicles, the roughly $350 million contract value, and the Yeni Kirpi advanced version. | Accessed: 2026-06-2750 Turkish BMC Kirpi MRAP Vehicles Reinforced Ukraine's MilitaryPublisher: Defense Express | Note: Reports Kirpi MRAPs provided to Ukrainian forces and distributed to Marine Corps brigades during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War. | Accessed: 2026-06-20From Syria to Ukraine: Turkish Kirpis face a new warPublisher: Defence Blog | Note: Reports Ukrainian Kirpi use in active combat zones, field adaptations against FPV and RPG threats, and spare-parts constraints during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Oryx Ukrainian Equipment LossesPublisher: Oryx | Note: Documents visually confirmed Ukrainian equipment losses in the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War and lists BMC Kirpi and BMC Kirpi II MRAP entries. | Accessed: 2026-06-30Tripoli govt boasts of new weapons from Turkey despite arms embargoPublisher: The Arab Weekly | Note: Supports direct conflict use in the 2014 Second Libyan Civil War by documenting Turkish-made BMC Kirpi armored vehicles arriving at Tripoli port for GNA-aligned forces. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Libyan National Army uses TAG Terrier LT-79 armored personnel carriersPublisher: Army Recognition | Note: Supports direct conflict use in the 2014 Second Libyan Civil War by reporting that GNA forces received Turkish-built BMC Kirpi-2 4x4 armored personnel carriers during the 2019 Tripoli campaign. | Accessed: 2026-06-20BMC showcases new generation Kirpi II MRAP vehicle at WDS 2024Publisher: Army Recognition | Note: Describes Kirpi II's independent suspension, composite armor, 13-troop capacity, and SARP remote-controlled weapon station fit. | Accessed: 2026-06-27UA Marines BMC Kirpi 04Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for an ArmyInform photograph of Ukrainian marines' BMC Kirpi MRAPs, licensed under CC BY 4.0. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Kirpi II at IDEF 2019Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a Commons photo of a BMC Kirpi II at IDEF 2019 in Istanbul. | Accessed: 2026-06-27