The Akinci can mount the same turret as that of the M2 Bradley with a TOW launcher.
Roll over the picture to see the rear side of the vehicle.
The Wheeled armored vehicles in Turkey.
When the Turkish Armed Forces had been modernized in the early 1990's, it's one of the shortcomings was the lack of wheeled armored vehicles. Turkey has bought many BTR-80's from Russia, Drogon 6x6 from the US. Later some domestic automotive industries offered to supply for more armored vehicles from the 4x4 types. The Land Rover model was the first that was built under license in Istanbul at the Otokar Facilities, shortl after the first order, Otokar as made some inprovements to the Land Rover model and with a new vehicle brought to the market, it was named the 'Akrep' or Scorpion in English.
The Akrep has succesfully used against the terrorist rebels in the south eastern part of Turkey. It is also known that the Akrep has been exported to many countries like Algeria andPakistan.
Several years later, in the end of the 1990's, Otokar revealed it's new vehicle built indegineously and was made of a single part monococ hull with resist against mines. The vehicle was inproved by the Akrep and like the Akrep shared parts of the Land Rover APC, the new vehicle shared its parts mostly with the Hummer all terrain vehicle. It is possible to mount more weapons on the new vehicle. When the design was complete, it was named 'Cobra'. The Cobra was first exported to the Maldives, only three vehicles was exported to the Maldives. The Turkish Armed Forces has bought only five vehicles and used them intensively.
In 2005, the Land Forces Command has a need for more vehicles, the Turkish Land Forces Command has ordered 60 Cobra vehicles and also exported 70 Cobra vehicles in varying configurations to Iraq in december 2005.
The Cobra MARS-V vehicle on a hilltop in southeastern Turkey. (Left)
The interior view of the Cobra. (Middle)
IDEF 2005 Ankara, the Cobra vehicle mounted with a 12,7mm M2HB and Spike ATGM launcher. (Right)
The Main Battle Tanks of the Turkish Armed Forces
The Turkish Armed Forces does not have domestically built MBT's. The Turkish Land Forces Command consists of thousands of MBT's wich are of the 1950 and 1960's era. Most of them are modernized to meet the requirements of the army but are still aging in its class.
The real first tank that was fielded by the army was the Russian built T-26. Turkey bought about 64 T-26 light tanks in 1934 to built it's first armored forces. In 1942, all the T-26 tanks were phased out of service. Later Turkey gets deliver from Germany, Great Brittain and France some weapons to influence Turkey to stand to their side.
In 1943 Hitler ordered 56 Pz-III Ausf J units to be delivered to Turkey. This was done to encourage the Turks to attack the USSR or to cause the Soviets to divert military units to counter a possible Turkish threat. The type delivered had the 5cm L/60 main gun. Meanwile, fifteen Pz-IV Ausf G units were delivered to Turkey starting in 1943. Seven were delivered in March and eight more delivered in May. This was done to help encourage Turkey to attack the USSR or to cause the USSR to divert manpower to defend the frontier between the two nations. (source: Bill Kirk)
After the World War II, Turkey wanted to enter the NATO. The NATO countries has rejected the offer to join the NATO. Later Turkey joins the Korean War in 1951. After this war, many NATO countries qualified Turkey and accepted that Turkey have a place in the NATO. This was due to the superior result in the Kunuri war with the US forces together against the North Korean forces.
In the beginning of the 1950's, Turkey needed more military hardware to renew its forces. This was done by the US wich delivered some heavy material to the Turkish Armed Forces. In 1954, Turkish army get's delivery of the M-47 medium tank and the C-47 transport plane.
In the beginning of the 1960's, Turkey bought the M48A2C Main Battle Tank wich was to replace the older tanks in service since the WWII. Later in the early 1970's Turkey bought the more reliable M48A3. The M48A3 was able to travel longer ranges with its multi-fuel diesel engine, it delivered some 750 hp to the 48 ton tank. In the Cyprus war, the Turkish Land Forces Command used the M47 and the M48 tanks to liberate the northern side of the island from the EOKA terrorist, Greek Sypriot army and the voluntairy 1000 man strong Greek army.
The M48A2C in maneuvre (Left) Two M48A5 tanks in hull-down position to counter advancing forces (middle) M48A5T1 in training excercise.
Later on in the 1980's, Turkish Army bought some 300 Leopard-1 tanks from Germany and 700 M60A3 tanks from the US. The US Marine Corps delivered some 200 M60A1 tanks to Turkey for free. In the early 1990's, when the PKK terror was begun with killings of harmless civilians, the Turkish army mobilizatad against the (possibly European funded) terrorist group. The Turkish army depot #2 in Kayseri was ordered for the modernization of the M48A1 and M48A2C tanks to the M60A1 standard with French assistance. This was later called the M48T5 and later modernization project with US assistance carried out of modernization of 1369 M48's were named M48A5T1. In the mid 1995, 750 older M48's were modernized to the M60A3 standard named M48A5T2 with more involvement of Turkish firms, mostly by ASELSAN. The T2 was equipped with a thermal imaging night sight, new M68T 105mm Tank Gun wich is the same as of the M60A3 with a thermal shroud, new diesel engine, advanced ballistic computer system, new radio systems, laser range finder, etc..
A M60A3 dig in against the PKK rebels (left) Leopard 1A3 on military parade (middle, picture by Tolga Yüksel) Modernized M48A5T2 (right, picture by Tolga Yüksel)
Recently, the Turkish army decided to replace the aging M48 series tanks with more modern 3rd generation tanks like the Leopard 2A4. The old M60A1 tanks are modernized together by the Israeli IMI and local ASELSAN company to the Sabra version. Also technology transfer will occur here. 174 M60A1 tanks are modernized in Kayseri 2nd ABM depot together with ASELSAN and MKEK.
Turkey has decided to buy 298 surplus Leopard 2A4 tanks from the Bundeswehr. All leopard 2A4 tanks are modernized to meet the needs for the Turkish Army. Turkish defensive industries has also decided to built a domestic new generation MBT for the land forces. All the tanks will be supplied to Turkey in 2006 and 2007. First deliverywill be in the first quarter of 2006.
Recently, Turkish Land Forces has built it's own Self-Propelled Howitser in the SP-2000 project. The T-155 Firtina (Storm) is a derivation of the Korean K-9 Thunder with minor changes in the Hull and Turret body. The electronics are also designed by ASELSAN. This year, the army will have 60 of it in its inventory. With production rate of 12 vehicles per year.
The Sabra Mk.2 with passive armor and a 120mm gun (left) Leopard 2A4 in maneuvre (middle) T-155 Firtina 155mm L52 howitser with a firing range of 40 km (right)
Main Battle Tanks inventory
National Tank Project (MITÜP)
Project Model : A Turkish Prime Contractor will design, develop and produce Turkish National Main Battle Tank Prototype(s) by taking technical support and assistance in necessary areas which are currently not available in Turkey, from a foreign company having experience in design, development and production of main battle tanks. Turkey has started the project for a need of 250 MBT's in the first batch. The prototype will be completed in 2009 and the mass production is expected to start in 2012.
Status : Otokar A.S. is selected as a Prime Contractor. The SSM has funded the project with $550 mln. for the prototype and design work.
Leopard 2-A4
Total vehicles in service: 178
298 Leopard-2-A4/Batch 8 MBTs bought by German surplus army stocks. After refurbishment, delivery will start in the first quarter of 2006 and the delivery will be completed in about a year.
Leopard 1-A3T1/TU1
Total vehicles in service: 77
Leopard 1-A3T1
Total vehicles in service: 150
Leopard-1T
Total vehicles in service: 64
166 Leopard-1A1 -A1A4's are being upgraded by ASELSAN with Eagle Eye-I thermal sight, VOLKAN state of the art locally designed fire control system and electrically stabilized turret system. When finnished, Turkish Army has 166 Leopard-1T's with the same firing capabilities of other 3rd generation tanks of the world.
M-60-A3TTS
Total vehicles in service: 658
M60T
Total vehicles in service: 28
Within the scope of Program, the main guns, fire control systems, power packs, tracks and some of the subsystems of the M60 tanks will be modernized by using the new sysrems. The production of 120 mm Main Gun System and 120 mm KE Ammunition in MKEK premises, production of Fire Control System (FCS) and Electrical Gun and Turret Drive System (EGTDS) in ASELSAN premises and assembly of the modernized M60 A1 tank in 2nd Main Maintenance Center Command in the frame of the workshares. Total of 170 will be modernized till april 2009.
M-60-A1 RISE/Passive (Ex-USMC tanks were given for free)
Total vehicles in service: 96
M-48-A5T2
Total vehicles in service: 757 (250 of them are in Cyprus)
Upgraded to M-60-A3 Standard. The T2 version has a thermal imager and exactly the same barrel of the M60A3 tank. Also it has digital computer systems to enhence first round hit capability and gun stabilizer (v & h) giving the firing the gun on the move capability. Also a new ASELSAN encrypted radio installed. Meets the requirements of 3rd generation MBT in firing capabilities.
M-48-A5T1
Total vehicles in service: 619 (50 of them are in Cyprus)
Upgraded to M-60-A1 Standard. +750 in storage. The T1 version is exactly the same as the original A5 version but with more modern ballistic computer system on board. Also there are new smoke dischargers and the tank have been fitted with a gun stabilizer, giving the tank the capability of firing the main gun on the move. Will be gradually phased out.
M-48-T5
Total vehicles in service: 103
Upgraded to M-60-A1 Standard by French GIAT company. +76 transformated into remote controlled armored recovery vehicles and armored engineer vehicles. Will be gradually phased out.
M-48-A3
Total vehicles in service: ?658
Phased out of service, obsolete version will be possibly used against insurgency or converted to other vehicles.
M-48-A2C
Total vehicles in service: ?578
Phased out of service, obsolete version will be possibly used against insurgency or converted to other vehicles.
TOTAL: 3470 MBT in inventory, totall of 2031 MBT's are at today's standards.
2824 MBT's active and 1913 MBT's in storage.
Armored Personnel Carriers
Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (ACV-300)
Total vehicles in service: 650
Manufactured in Turkey by FNSS Savunma sistemleri AS, some of them are in Cyprus.
Advanced Armored Personnel Carrier (ACV-300)
Total vehicles in service: 1381
Including the second batch of 551 vehicles. Manufactured in Turkey by FNSS Savunma sistemleri AS, some of them are in Cyprus.
Armored TOW Vehicle (ACV-300)
Total vehicles in service: 48
Manufactured in Turkey by FNSS Savunma sistemleri AS , equipped with a dual TOW II launcher
M-113A/A1
Total vehicles in service: 347
M-113A2T1/A2T2
Total vehicles in service: 2468
M-113 TOW
Total vehicles in service: 156
Excluded from CFE, some of them are in Cyprus.
BTR-80 (8x8)
Number of units: 239
RN-94 (6X6)
Number of units: 5
Otokar Cobra (4X4)
Number of units: 65
288 more under delivery, manufactured in Turkey.
Otokar Cobra (4X4) MARS V
Number of units: ?
Wheeled Armored Personnel Carriers of Gendarmerie
BTR-60PB (8x8)
Number of units: 295
Received BMC upgrade. Cummings Diesel Engine, transmission, cooling, electrical, steering, brake and ventilation systems completely changed, and armored windscreens mounted. The range increased from 400 km. to 1.000 km.
Otokar Cobra (4X4)
Number of units: 30
Enhanced armor protection, manufactured in Turkey.
Otokar Akrep (4X4)
Number of units: 260+
Manufactured in Turkey.
CONDOR (4X4)
Number of units: <25
S550 SHORLAND (4X4)
Total vehicles in service: 190
UR416 (4X4)
Total vehicles in service: 30
LAV150
Total vehicles in service: 190
Cadillac Gage (4X4)
Number of units: 195
Dragon 300
Total vehicles in service: 65
The Turkish Towed and Self Propelled Artillery guns/howitsers/mortars.
Turkey produces his own artillery systems. Many of them are in license production, but some of them are by tech transfer or domestically built.
The recent delivery of the T-155 "Firtina", wich means Storm, has a long barreled 52 caliber, 155mm howitser wich is able to fire up to 40 km range with modern projectiles.
The vehicle is fitted with a Turkish designed computer systems to enhence maximum accuracy and speed while maintaining low cost to the army. The T-155 is originally derivated by the Korean K-9 Thunder with many differences. The turret is completely new and the hull has minor changes. The howitser is exactly the same that of the K-9.
Inventory of Turkey's self propelled Artillery:
M-110A2 203mm howitser
Total vehicles in service: 219
M-55 203mm
Total vehicles in service: 9
M 107 175mm
Total vehicles in service: 36
M 44T 155mm L39mm Rheinmetall
Total vehicles in service: 164
Upgraded by Turkish army/firms. Will be replaced by the more capable T-155 Firtina
M 52T 155mm L39mm Rheinmetall
Total vehicles in service: 360
Upgraded by Turkish army/firms. Will be replaced by the more capable T-155 Firtina
M 108T 155mm
Total vehicles in service: 26
Will be replaced by the more capable T-155 Firtina
T-155 Firtina 155mm 52 Cal. Howitser
Total vehicles in service: 96 from 300 required
Production rate: 12 per year (Produced by 2. ABM depot Kayseri).
Armored Mortar Vehicle (ACV-300)
Total vehicles in service: 170
Self propelled 81mm mortar. Manufactured in Turkey by FNSS, some of them are in Cyprus
M-106A1
Total vehicles in service: 179
Self propelled M-30 107mm mortar, being scrapped.
M-125A1
Total vehicles in service: 10
Self propelled M-29 81mm mortar, being scrapped.
Total: 1259 vehicles
Towed Artillery
M-115 203mm howitser
Total units in service: 162
M-114A1/A2 155mm 24 cal. field howitser
Total units in service: 538
M-59 155mm howitser
Total units in service: 171
Will be retired.
SKODA 105mm howitser
Total units in service: 128
Will be retired.
M-101A1 105mm field howitser
Total units in service: 830
M-38 Skoda 105mm
Total units in service: 12
Used in training
105R Metalgun 105mm
Total units in service: 11
Used in training
M-116 75mm light mountain howitser
Total units in service: 180
T-155 Panter 155/52 FT-2000 155mm howitser
Total units in service: 58 of the 400 requirement.
Manufactured in Turkey. Mass-production started in end-2001. Total requirement for 400, current production rate is 12/year.
Rocket Artillery in the Turkish Army.
The need for rocket artillery came to talks in the mid 1980's when the Iran-Iraq was in his height of ballistic missile warfare. Turkey first designed the famous HYDRA 70 rockets for ground units. Produces by MAKSAM, the 40 barrel rocket pod is able to mount on vehicles or towed. The design was finished and only small numbers are in service with the Turkish Land Forces.
Later, Turkey went on to develop the 107mm 12 tube MLRS from People's Republic of China. Turkey has a upgraded version of the 107mm and probably the longest range of the world in 107mm class. The T-107 with 11km has two types of warheads with 1,3 kg weight : High Explosive and Steel Ball.
In the early 1990's, Turkey decided to buy the US M270 12 tube 227mm MLRS. Turkey bought 12 vehicles in the mid 1995 for use in its mobile artillery units. In the 1996-1998 period, Turkey also bought the ATACMS from the US and produces his own E-MLRS version with 45km range guided missiles known as SAGE PARS.
Beside of the 12 M270 MLRS systems that were bought by the US, Turkey has developed his own MLRS system named the T-122 Sakarya. The Sakarya is the same as the Russian BM-21 'Grad' but with some improvements in range and the launcher vehicle. The T-122 Sakarya can fire its 40 rockets in 80 seconds to a range of 40 km. There is also special munitions available like cluster munitions and steel ball warhead. Beside its long range rockets of 40km, the launcher can also fire the classic rockets with a range of maximum of 20km. The vehicle has its own winch to reload the launcher pod.
T-122 on the firing range (left) T-122 on military parade (middle) TOROS-260 test fire. (right)
In 1999, the Turkish research institute TUBITAK, revealed a basic project for a development of long range rockets. The result was the TOROS project. First the TOROS-230A rocket was tested with a max range of 65 km, later the TOROS 260A rocket was introduced. The number is for the caliber in milimeters. The TOROS-260A has a range of up to 110km and is able to carry a warhead of 145kg HE ,Steel ball or cluster munitions. Later it was announced that the TOROS will be equipped with a guidance kit for increase in its accuracy. There are also rumors that Turkey is working for a 1000 km range ballistic missile called the 'J' project. China will be involved for the technical transfer.
The M270 MLRS in Turkey
The 227mm Rocket Launcher in Turkey is something special. Because Turkey has produced it's own guided missiles for the M270 MLRS. The system known as PARS is the Turkish version designed by SAGE of the guided missile artillery with extended range of 45 km.
The T-107 107mm Towed Rocket Artillery designed by Roketsan
The 107 mm Multi Barrel Rocket System is a lightweight and towed weapon system used by artillery and infantry support missions during day and night, and in all weather conditions. The system can be easily disassembled with basic hand tools and carried to mountainous regions. T-107 is capable of firing TR-107, TRB-107 and classical short-range 107 mm type rockets.
For more information about the T-107, check the Roketsan website.
The B611 TACTICAL SURFACE-TO-SURFACE BALLISTIC MISSILE
The B611 is the solid-fuel, surface-to-surface, short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) jointly developed by China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation (CASIC) and Turkish weapon manufacturer MKEK. It is understood that the missile development began in 1999 as a Sino-Turkey co-operation project. The missile was first tested to 120km range in 2001, and later to 152km range in 2003. The development of the missile was officially completed in 2003. The missile made its debut in the 2004 Zhuhai Air show, but there has been no production order from either Turkish or Chinese military.
The B611 is a single-stage, solid-propellant SRBM similar in general performance to the Russian Iskander-E SRBM (SS-X-26). Based on the DF-15 (M-7) SRBM technology, the B611 can deliver a 480kg high-explosive (HE) conventional warhead over a distance of 150km. Other types of warhead such as anti-armour, anti-personnel, mine, etc. can be developed according to the customers' requirements. The missile is launched from a box-shape launcher carried on a North-Benz 6X6 cross-country truck. Each truck can carry two box launchers. A basic battery consists of six launch trucks (12 ready-to-launch missiles) and a command vehicle.
CASIC is currently developing an improved variant with an extended range of 250km, hoping to appeal potential buyers in the international market. The Turkish R&D team is to advance to 1000km range in steps like 40km T-122, 65 and 100 by the TOROS 230/260 and 150 with its B611 or 'J' project.
SPECIFICATIONS
Configuration: Single-stage
Propellant: Solid fuel
Guidance: Inertial
Range: 150km
Deployment: Mobile
Warhead: One single 480kg conventional
CEP: N/A
Click pictures to enlarge.
Inventory of Turkish Rocket and Missile artillery
Kasirga / Wei Shi - WS-1 Artillery Rocket Launcher (4X302mm, 100km)
Number of vehicles: 100
5 launchers and rockets delivered by China and others produced in Turkey in 1996. This is the upgraded version of the TOROS-230A/260A rockets. The TOROS is being marketed for sale, but the TSK did not place any orders for it in favor of the Kasirga ARL
Jaguar / Wei Shi WS-1B SSM Launchers (4X302mm, 180km)
Number of vehicles: 6+
Manufactured in Turkey, not confirmed. Possibly the guided version with a more advanced rocket engine than the Kasirga.
M-270 MLRS 227mm Launcher Vehicles
Number of vehicles: 12
Compatible with the PARS-SAGE guided missile with 45km, with the tech. transfer done by Pakistan. The deal with USA were most probably cancelled due to the adoption of WS-1 series MLRS systems.
MGM-140 ATACMS Block 1 (165km)
Number of vehicles: 72
Launched from M270 MLRS vehicle, 2 missiles per vehicle.
TR-107 Artillery Rocket Launchers (12X107mm)
Number of vehicles: 52+
Manufactured in Turkey by Roketsan
RA-7040 Artillery Rocket Launchers (40X70mm)
Number of launchers: 24
Manufactured in Turkey by Maksam
T-122 Sakarya ÇNRA MLRS (40X122mm, 40km)
Number of vehicles: 64 (according from Warriorsoul it is 76)
Manufactured in Turkey by MKEK and Çansas, rumors include that the launcher cassete is joint produced with Romania.
B-611 Yildirim SRBM
Number of vehicles: 36
100 missiles ready in stock. Designed together with China. The 150km range guided Short Range Ballistic Missile is very accurate and is able to evade Anti-Missile defenses. Answer to the Russian Iskander-E (Upgrade from the Tochka).