T-155 Firtına II, which has an extended firing vary and quicker firing pace, is dubbed as a “next generation” tools that “significantly enhances” the Turkish military’s firepower.
(AA)
Türkiye’s defence exports have hit a report $4.4 billion final yr, surging from $248 million 20 years in the past, based on President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
While in 2002, when the Justice and Development (AK) Party got here to energy, there have been solely 56 Turkish corporations within the defence sector, now the determine tops 2,000, he mentioned at a navy occasion within the province of Sakarya on Monday.
“We will not stop (advancing) in the defence industry,” he mentioned, including that Türkiye’s price range final yr allotted $1.5 billion for defence business analysis and improvement.
A key a part of Türkiye’s increasing defence arsenal is the T-155 Firtina (Storm) howitzer, which the nation is utilizing within the battlefield in addition to promoting to allied international locations.
At the Sakarya occasion, Erdogan witnessed the supply of the primary six items of the upgraded model of the weapon known as T-155 Firtına II. The authorities eyes a minimum of 140 items of the navy {hardware}.
With a firing vary of 360 kilometres (223 miles) and a prime pace of 65 kilometres (40 miles) per hour, the T-155 Firtına II is dubbed as a “next generation” tools that “significantly enhances the firepower” of the Turkish navy.
Here’s what we find out about domestically-produced self-propelled T-155 Firtına II:
READ MORE: ‘Free fire-2022’: Turkish navy shows large firepower
(TRTWorld)
Upgraded model
The T-155 Firtına II is the newest variant of South Korea’s K9 Thunder 155 mm self-propelled howitzer. The Turkish navy first put it to check in 2001.
Part of an ongoing improve mission, the self-propelled howitzers at the moment are manufactured and assembled by Turkish Land Forces on the 1010th Army Equipment Repair Factory.
The howitzer is now fitted with Turkish fireplace management and communication programs, that are suitable with NATO requirements.
According to stories, by 2025, indigenous engines and transmissions shall be used totally on the Firtina system.
The upgraded model started manufacturing in 2017 and featured enhancements to vary and fee of fireplace, and have become able to carrying 12.7mm, 7.62mm machine weapons and 40 mm grenade launchers.
They will also be geared up with 12.7 mm and seven.62 mm machine weapons and a 40 mm automated grenade launcher in addition to thermal /TV sight and laser vary finder functionality, based on the Turkish navy producer, BMC.
The T-155 Firtına II additionally has a tilt and fixing capacity, an automated goal monitoring system and a fixing functionality for transportation.
READ MORE: Why Türkiye has turn out to be a lot much less depending on arms imports
(AA)
According to ASELSAN, a main contractor of the Turkish armed forces, the T-155 Firtina II howitzer “combines fire control” with fireplace route capabilities that allow the navy “to perform the missions fast, accurately and effectively.”
Anti-terror operations
Türkiye initially deliberate to fabricate 350 Firtina howitzers, 280 for the Turkish Army and 70 on the market. Between 2005 and 2010, round 281 had been delivered.
They had been first deployed in Türkiye’s Operation Sun on the finish of 2007 to battle the PKK in northern Iraq. It was additionally used within the Operation Euphrates Shield in 2016 and the Operation Olive Branch in 2018.
In 2021, Turkish forces used Firtina howitzers to destroy three YPG/PKK headquarters buildings, a shelter and a place utilized by the armed group, based on sources who spoke to Anadolu Agency.
In its greater than 35-year violent marketing campaign towards Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terror organisation by Turkey, the US, and the EU – has been liable for the deaths of almost 40,000 folks, together with girls, youngsters and infants.
The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian offshoot.
During his speech on Monday, Erdogan additionally talked about different defence business developments such because the Anadolu, which would be the world’s first ship with unmanned fight aerial autos (UCAV). It will come into service later this yr.
In addition, the Bayraktar TB3 UCAV, which shall be deployed on the Anadolu amphibious assault ship, will take its maiden flight this yr.
Erdogan additionally mentioned the heavy-class assault helicopter Atak-2 may also take its maiden flight later this yr.
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Source: TRTWorld and businesses
