Τις τελευταίες ημέρες παρατηρείται μια βροχή ανακοινώσεων-άρθρων τουρκικών ΜΜΕ, αναφορικά με νέα εγχώρια οπλικά συστήματα-μέσα και πυρομαχικά τα οποία παρουσιάστηκαν στην αμυντική έκθεση "IDEF 2023", που πραγματοποήθηκε στην Κωνσταντινούπολη πρόσφατα.
The aim is to promote the sales of the above products to foreign buyers in order to stimulate the poor Turkish economy, but also to conduct psychological operations (PSO) both among Turkish citizens, emphasizing their nationalistic feeling, showing them that their economic sacrifices are paying off, and to the international public opinion, showing a militarily strong Turkey that is constantly increasing its operational capabilities and the combat power of its Armed Forces.
In this vein, an article in the Turkish media points out:
"BMC's CEO and Managing Director, Murat Yalçıntaş, answered questions about the company's activities on the sidelines of IDEF'23.
Turkish ALTAY tank tests are being continued
Referring to the New ALTAY Main Battle Tank, which was recently handed over to the Turkish Armed Forces for testing, Yalçıntaş said that the news is good, noting : "At the moment, the tests are continuing with great success. There are other components and other subsystems from major companies such as ASELSAN, Roketsan, HAVELSAN, MKE, being tested .
On the other hand, our investments for mass production continue. So Allah willing, we will probably be back with you in a few months with good news. You know when we promise something, we keep our promise.
I hope there will be something that we can say to you, "we did it, check it out".
The new generation FIRTINA self-propelled gun
Referring to the New Generation FIRTINA Howitzer, Murat Yalçıntaş made the following statements:
"The production of the FIRTINA continues with great success. As with ALTAY, of course, there was a challenge that had to be overcome in FIRTINA as well.
Currently, the FIRTINA power system comes from a friendly and allied country.
Hopefully, this will serve the Turkish Armed Forces with a domestic power system as well as the armies of friendly and allied countries in a few years.
I saw it in this report, it was there in other reports, that there is tremendous demand for FIRTINA, especially from foreign militaries.
Probably the most recent global conflicts have highlighted the importance of an armoured vehicle of this size.
There is huge demand I believe, especially when we achieve its indigenous power system, so we can make a big export move on them.
Exports of AMAZON and TULGA armoured vehicles
Two of our vehicles are starting to come to the fore right now, one of which is our TULGA vehicle, the Armored SUV, . There is a lot of interest in this vehicle, especially from African and Gulf countries.
The second one is our AMAZON vehicle, which we have completely revamped and which has been in great demand.
We signed an agreement at this exhibition,for a large order related to AMAZON.
Domestic needs come first
Of course, exports are very important, but the big needs of security units in Turkey are still there.
Currently, according to the delivery plan, we will start delivering our TULGA vehicle to various units of the General Directorate of Security from the end of this year.
Therefore, in a very short period of time, our people will start seeing our TULGA vehicle on the roads, in use by different security units, from the beginning of 2024.
I also believe that users will be very happy because the development of the TULGA vehicle was carried out under the strict supervision of SSB in accordance with the requirements of the relevant units of the General Directorate of Safety.
Hopefully, this will be a product that will make us proud and keep our heads held high, just like our other products."
Conclusion
The Turkish defense industry has made significant progress in recent years, but has not succeeded in main weapon systems -meaning to become fully independent in their production, as is the case with the ALTAY tanks, which is a marriage of a South Korean engine in a German chassis, and the FIRTINA self-propelled guns, whose power system comes from another country.
Greece should move on three (3) pillars which are the development of the domestic defence industry, its participation in the production of weapon systems-means and ammunition within the framework of PESCO and the supply of advanced modern weapon systems from friendly and allied countries such as USA-France-Israel-Germany and others.
