What do you guys think about MKE Yavuz and Aselsan KMO? In my opinion the MKE Yavuz presented at IDEF seems better developed.
It is already tested and ready to go. Aselsan's is a first prototype
DEF 2017: FNSS PARS 4X4 TURNS HEADS
The PARS 4x4 Anti-Tank Vehicle, which distinguishes itself from other 4x4 vehicles with its engine located at the rear, continues to turn heads and draw attention to itself at IDEF 2017. Selected by the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries for the Anti-Tank Vehicle (ATV) project to meet the needs of the Turkish Land Forces Command, the PARS 4x4 has been developed to meet the specific and challenging requirements of its intended user. In the ATV project, the vehicle to be delivered in the tank hunter configuration is, thanks to its modular infrastructure, ready for new missions.
In addition to a power-to-weight ratio of 25 HP/ton, the vehicle also fields a low silhouette and amphibious capabilities. The vehicle can operate in deep and flowing water without requiring any prior preparations. The PARS 4X4 is also able to operate on any rough terrain, thanks to its low centre of gravity, fully independent suspension system, ABS-assisted hydraulic disc brakes, low ground pressure, and increased angles of approach and departure. The PARS 4x4 can climb slopes with 70 percent gradient, hold on slopes with 40 percent gradient, and pass over 40 cm vertical obstacles with ease.
The vehicle’s windows provide ballistic protection in line with user requirements, and are designed to provide a very wide field of vision to both the driver and the crew.
To reduce operating costs, the lifespan of many subsystems was kept the same as the lifespan of the vehicle, during the design process of the vehicle. Thanks to its power pack, which can be dismantled and installed quickly in the field, the vehicle also offers great ease of maintenance and logistic support.
The turret is offered in two configurations, depending on whether KORNET or MIZRAK anti-tank missiles are used. The RCAT enables the gunner to carry out surveillance, target detection, identification, recognition, lock-on and missile guidance through the control console, while remaining under ballistic protection within the vehicle.
The RCAT weapon system allows the effective use of the KORNET and MIZRAK missiles on the anti-tank armoured platform at their maximum effective range, and thanks to its modular architecture, other anti-tank weapons can be easily integrated onto the turret. The turret incorporates the latest technologies in turret drives, fire control system, survivability and firepower. Thanks to its integrated electro-optical sensors, it can operate night and day, in all weather conditions.
As main armament, the turret can be equipped with two KORNET-E or two MIZRAK-O missiles. The coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, used as the secondary armament, increases the firepower of the turret, while also expanding the vehicle’s range of missions.
K. Nail Kurt, General Manager and CEO of FNSS, highlights that the PARS 4x4 Anti-Tank Vehicle differs greatly from comparable systems around the world: “
Having the engine located at the rear, as well as its mobility and amphibious capabilities, takes this vehicle to a very different class and level. The RCAT weapon system found on the vehicle is a highly effective system against all main battle tanks and heavy armoured vehicles found in inventories around the world. We can say this with full confidence: With the PARS 4x4 Anti-Tank Vehicle, FNSS offers a complete weapon system solution that is rarely seen in the market within the 4x4 category. In the near future, we will see the PARS 4x4 as a vehicle that can also meet user requirements under different configurations.”
IDEF 2017: ROKETSAN TEBER LASER GUIDANCE KIT
Roketsan’s TEBER is a low-cost laser guidance kit for MK-81(250lb) and MK-82(500lb) general purpose bombs, converting them into precision smart weapons using INS, GPS and laser seekers.
The system’s modular design offers affordable options. An add-on laser seeker on the front section allows for precise hit capability on moving, relocatable and maritime targets, even if the target is manoeuvring at high speeds. The seeker can be equipped with a height of burst sensor. The tail section immediately identifies the bomb onto which it has been integrated and can be rapidly married with a laser seeker in the field. The tail kit incorporates GPS/INS for precision guidance as well as aerodynamic control surfaces and body strakes, which supply additional lift and stability.
NEWS
IDEF 2017: CIRIT GOES THERMOBARIC
ROKETSAN’s CIRIT, the 2.75in laser guided missile with the longest range in its class, continues to expand its capabilities by adding a thermobaric warhead to its options, in addition to the standard HE warhead and the multi-purpose option with anti-armour, anti-personnel or incendiary functions.
In other domains the company continues to demonstrate the missile’s flexibility, launching the Pedestal Mounted CIRIT and continuing to work on its applications on UAVs. At least one foreign customer already has the system in service for ground forces on a towed launcher. On naval platforms, including fast patrol boats and corvettes, CIRIT has already proven itself in combat.
“The CIRIT is taking the concept of the 2.75in guided rocket, which emerged from the idea of having a cost-efficient missile, to a much higher level. The CIRIT, which is the leader in its class with a range of 8km, has also shown that it is capable of carrying out some of the missions of other missiles in higher classes. It is now possible to meet the guided missile needs of land, air and naval forces with a single missile production line. I can confidently say that there is no other missile on the market that can offer such flexibility with these costs,” Selçuk Yasar, President and CEO of ROKETSAN, commented, emphasising that the CIRIT All Up Round Missile is a system that can meet a wide variety of user operational requirements.
NEWS
IDEF 2017: ROKETSAN NEW GENERATION FUSE SYSTEMS
Subsequent to the acquisition of TAPASAN in 2012, ROKETSAN has continued to invest in technological infrastructure and capability in the design, production, test and qualification of advanced fuses, including construction of a new fuse facility which will be completed this year. The company is close to achieving its goal of becoming a Centre of Excellence for fuse technology.
Fuses for 20mm ammunition, 107, 122 and 300mm rocket systems, ASW rockets and CIRIT missiles have already passed through design, development, qualification and serial production phases and significant deliveries have already been completed. Using the knowledge and experience acquired in this process, ROKETSAN has now achieved the required level of technological maturity in the disciplines necessary for applying them to fuses for classical ammunition. Generating new multi-purpose fuse solutions for ground- and sea-based artillery systems and focusing on an internal “Third Generation Smart Fuse Development” programme, the company is successfully addressing the challenges of improving accuracy and reliability of existing ammunition stocks and designs by replacing the fuse alone. The company has already achieved development of inductive setting technology for ammunition fuses and is continuing to develop multi-setting technology applicable to rocket and missile systems.
NEWS
IDEF 2017 PREVIEW: TURKISH ARMED FORCES MODERNISATION IN TROUBLED TIMES
As a leading regional power, one now facing major challenges and undergoing significant transformation, Turkey has an absolute need for effective, deterrent military power proportionate to the risks and threats to which it is exposed, in order to maintain its existence and preserve its stability and national interests. This articlecan be read in its full version in MILITARY TECHNOLOGY #5/2017, available at IDEF 2017 or
here.
Although considerably reduced since the bloody coup attempted by the Fetullahist Terrorist Organisation (FETO) on 15 July 2016, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) are still among the largest in the world.
As part of the restructuring efforts that were launched following the coup attempt, the Chief of the Turkish General Staff (TGS) now reports directly to the Presidency; Land, Naval and Air Force Commands were brought under the control of the MoND: Service commanders will report directly to Defence Minister Fikri Isik. Military factories and shipyards have brought under MoND control, while war colleges, military high schools and NCO high schools were closed down. The military academies for all three services, together with NCO vocational high schools, were retained but brought into the aegis of the National Defence University established under the MoND.
On 17 March, Minister Isik announced that 6,511 TAF personnel had been for connections to FETO and a total of 16,409 personnel have lost their military student status. On 2 April, the Minister of the Interior, Süleyman Soylu, stated that 7,463 soldiers and 168 generals had been detained for the same reason.
At the same time, a process of relocating military bases from city centres to the outskirts has been initiated. All military barracks in Istanbul and Ankara from which participants in the failed coup emerged have been closed down.
DEFENCE EXPENDITURES AND BUDGETS
Turkey is spending over U$5 billion annually to meet the modernisation requirements of its security forces and to maintain and improve TAF combat capabilities well into the future. An additional $3-4 billion is spent annually on MRO of weapon systems, platforms and equipment. The MoND’s 2017 budget allocation is TL28,702.119 billion (around $9.12 billion based on predicted 2017 exchange rates); the TGGC budget is around TL9,374 billion, the TCGC budget is TL649.7 million and the SGD budget around TL23,538 billion. Turkey’s combined defence and security budget is therefore around TL64,360 billion – some $20,43 billion.
Of the total MoND budget, 51.5% is allocated to personnel expenditure, 8.8% for social security premiums, 37.4% for property/goods and service purchases, 1.5% for current transfer expenditure and around 0.8% for capital expenditure. The majority of the TAF’s on-going modernisation programmes managed by the the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries (SSM) are being financed from sources transferred from the Defence Industry Support Fund (DISF), an extra budgetary financial resource for defence procurement that is totally independent of the MoND budget and is one of the most important financial resources for providing long-term funding for SSM’s on-going defence and security programmes. Until November 2011, the DISF had been used by the SSM only for military purchases, but with amendments made in 2011 and 2014 the fund is now also available for financing the urgent intelligence- and security-related requirements of the National Intelligence Service (MIT) and the SGD.
A SELF-SUFFICIENT DEFENCE INDUSTRY IS A NECESSITY
As a result of this progress the defence and aerospace industry has turned out to be a significant manufacturer of state-of-the-art, NATO-standard compliant, cost-effective systems and equipment in recent years. ANKA, BAYRAKTAR TB2, TB2-S (armed) and KARAYEL UAS, the Turkish MBT ALTAY, the National Corvette MILGEM, National Attack Helicopter T129 ATAK, Training Aircraft HURKUS, low- and medium-altitude air defence missile systems HISAR-A and HISAR-O, the Long Range Anti-Tank Missile MIZRAK-U/UMTAS and the Medium Range Anti-Tank Missile MIZRAK-O/OMTAS, the Laser Guided Missile CIRIT, Tactical Ballistic Missile BORA (export version named as KHAN), the new generation air-to-ground cruise missiles SOM-A/B and SOM-J, 533mm Heavy Weight Torpedo AKYA, ATMACA Anti-ship and Land Attack Missile, GökTürk-I/II EO Satellites, simulation systems, and the national infantry rifle MPT-76, already entering service with the TAF, are just some of the products developed indigenously in recent years.
MAJOR INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR TAF MODERNISATION
The
7.62mm MPT-76 National Infantry Rifle was developed local under the Modern Infantry Rifle Project and the first batch of 200 delivered to Turkish Army units in May 2014. In January 2017, the army took delivery of the first batch of 500 serial-produced MPT-76s manufactured by the state-owned Machines and Chemical Industries Board (MKEK) under a serial production contract for 20,000 awarded in July 2015. In December 2016 SSM awarded another contract to KaleKalip, which co-designed the weapon, for the serial production of a further 15,014 and in February 2017 a third contract for 10,000 more was awarded to Sarsilmaz.
The
ALTAY Turkish National MBT is a 3rd Generation+ MBT developed by prime contractor Otokarin cooperation with its local partners (Aselsan, MKEK, Roketsa,n and STM) and South Korean Hyundai/Rotem, which was selected as the Technical Support and Assistance Provider to meet Turkish Army requirements. More on this in the next article: Turkish Armoured Vehicles Review,
Under the
MILGEM (National Vessel) programme, four ADA-class wholly indigenous patrol/ASW vessels will be constructed at the Istanbul Naval Shipyard to meet specific Turkish Navy requirements in terms of speed, sea-keeping and stability. The first vessel, TCG HEYBELIADA, was commissioned on 27 September 2011 and the second, TCG BÜYÜKADA, on 27 September 2013. The third vessel, TCG BURAGAZADA, was launched in June 2016 and is scheduled to be ready for delivery in 2018, while the fourth, TCG KINALIADA, will be launched during the first half of 2017 and is scheduled to be ready for delivery in 2019. Final acceptance of these two ships will take place in September 2018 and March 2020.
The
TF-X National Combat Aircraft is an indigenous fifth-generation air superiority fighter, which will replace the F-16C/D in TurAF service after the 2030s. The prototype’s first flight is expected in 2023, when Turkey will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic, and first delivery to TurAF is planned for 2029. Deliveries will continue until 2039 and current plans indicate FX/TX aircraft will be phased out of TurAF inventory after 2065.
Under a serial production contract contract awarded in December 2013 and valued at around $250 million, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is manufacturing 15
HURKUS-B trainers, with an additional 40 options. This is an advanced version of the HURKUS-A and will have a digital cockpit layout along with modern integrated avionics to be supplied by Aselsan, including an HUD, colour multi-function displays a mission computer. First flight is planned for mid-2017 and first delivery for the beginning of 2018. Final delivery under the current contract is scheduled for the end of 2019.
The
KORKUT self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) project covers the procurement of 42 Weapon System Vehicle (SSA, to replace existing aged M-42A1/A2 DUSTER WALKER systems) and 14 C2 Vehicle (KKA) all based on the FNSS ACV-30 Armoured Combat Vehicle chassis. On 25 June 2011, Aselsan, main contractor for the SPAAG programme, awarded a tracked carrier vehicle development contract to FNSS for the design, development and production of one KKA and two SSA chassis within two years, to be based on the ACV-30.
Valued at $3.3 Billion the Turkish Army’s
T129A/B ATAK Multi-Role Combat Helicopter programme covers the procurement of 50 T129B and nine T129A (+32 optional) tactical reconnaissance and attack helicopters. Delivery of the first of nine slightly less capable T129A EDHs (for the combat support role) took place on 22 April 2014, ...This articlecan be read in its full version in MILITARY TECHNOLOGY #5/2017, available at IDEF 2017 or
here.
Kubilay Han