Uzbekistan evaluates Chinese VN22 armored vehicle

A Chinese-made VN22 6×6 wheeled armored vehicle was spotted at the Military Scientific and Technical Institute of Uzbekistan, confirming the presence of Chinese armored platforms at a key Uzbek defense research facility.

Images show the VN22 positioned inside the institute alongside other military vehicles, indicating that the platform is undergoing technical evaluation.

The VN22 is a Chinese 6×6 wheeled armored vehicle designed and produced by Norinco for the export market. It was first unveiled at the 13th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition in 2021 and has since been offered as a modular platform for troop transport, patrol, and combat support roles.

The vehicle uses a conventional layout, with the engine mounted in the front of the hull next to the driver and a troop compartment at the rear. This configuration allows rapid troop dismount while keeping the powerpack separated from the infantry section.

The VN22 is fitted with appliqué armor covering most of the hull. When fully equipped, the armor provides all-round protection against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. The vehicle also features a V-shaped hull designed to improve survivability against landmines and improvised explosive devices.

The VN22 has been exported to several countries, including Burkina Faso, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Senegal, making it one of Norinco’s more widely distributed armored vehicle products. The platform’s design focuses on balancing protection, mobility, and logistical simplicity for users with diverse operating environments.

Uzbekistan has expanded defense imports and domestic military production in recent years, often using Chinese systems as technical references. In 2024, Uzbekistan introduced Chinese-made air defense systems such as the HQ-7B and HQ-12, indicating deepening defense-industrial cooperation with Beijing.

The presence of the VN22 at a military research institute fits this broader trend and suggests that Uzbek engineers are evaluating the vehicle for possible procurement, modification, or local assembly. Uzbekistan has previously used foreign platforms as benchmarks for domestic development programs.