A Chinese-made VN22 6×6 wheeled armored vehicle has been spotted at the Military Scientific and Technical Institute of Uzbekistan, confirming the presence of Chinese armored platforms at one of the country’s key defense research facilities. The appearance of the vehicle has drawn attention among regional defense observers, as it signals a possible new phase in Uzbekistan’s expanding military-technical engagement with China.
Images circulating from the site show the VN22 positioned inside the institute alongside other military vehicles, suggesting that the platform is undergoing technical evaluation rather than routine display. The Military Scientific and Technical Institute plays a central role in Uzbekistan’s defense modernization efforts, conducting testing, analysis, and adaptation of foreign military systems for potential integration into the country’s armed forces or domestic production programs.
The VN22 is a 6×6 wheeled armored vehicle designed and produced by China North Industries Corporation (Norinco), primarily for the export market. The platform was first unveiled publicly at the 13th China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, commonly known as Airshow China, in 2021. Since then, it has been marketed as a modular and cost-effective solution for a wide range of military and internal security missions.
Designed with flexibility in mind, the VN22 can be configured for troop transport, patrol, reconnaissance, command and control, or combat support roles. The vehicle follows a conventional armored vehicle layout, with the engine mounted at the front of the hull next to the driver’s position and a troop compartment located at the rear. This arrangement allows for rapid dismount of infantry while maintaining a physical separation between the powerpack and the personnel compartment, a feature valued for both safety and maintenance access.
Protection is a key aspect of the VN22’s design. The vehicle is fitted with appliqué armor covering most of the hull, and when fully equipped, it is advertised as providing all-round protection against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. This level of protection places the VN22 in a category suitable for operations in high-threat environments, including areas where heavy machine guns are commonly used. In addition, the vehicle incorporates a V-shaped hull, a design feature intended to deflect blast energy away from the crew in the event of landmine or improvised explosive device (IED) detonations.
Mobility is another selling point of the VN22. As a wheeled platform, it offers advantages in terms of speed, range, and ease of maintenance compared to tracked vehicles, particularly for countries with large road networks or limited logistical infrastructure. These characteristics have made wheeled armored vehicles increasingly attractive to militaries seeking rapid reaction capabilities without the high operating costs associated with heavier systems.
The VN22 has already been exported to several countries, including Burkina Faso, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Mali, and Senegal. Its growing international footprint has made it one of Norinco’s more widely distributed armored vehicle products. In many cases, the platform has been promoted as a balance between protection, mobility, and logistical simplicity, tailored to users operating in diverse climates and terrain.
Uzbekistan’s interest in the VN22 aligns with a broader pattern of defense diversification. In recent years, Tashkent has expanded both defense imports and domestic military production, often using foreign systems as technical references. Chinese equipment has featured prominently in this process. In 2024, Uzbekistan introduced Chinese-made air defense systems such as the HQ-7B and HQ-12, highlighting deepening defense-industrial cooperation with Beijing.
The presence of the VN22 at a military research institute rather than an operational unit suggests that Uzbek engineers and military planners are still in the assessment phase. Possible outcomes of such an evaluation could include direct procurement, localized modification to meet specific national requirements, or even partial local assembly under license. Uzbekistan has previously employed similar approaches, using foreign platforms as benchmarks for domestic development programs aimed at strengthening its indigenous defense industry.
While no official statement has been released by Uzbek authorities regarding the VN22’s presence, the sighting underscores the steady expansion of Chinese defense influence in Central Asia. As Uzbekistan continues to modernize its armed forces and diversify its military partnerships, platforms like the VN22 may play an increasingly visible role in shaping the country’s future armored vehicle fleet.
