According to Turkish media, Vuran-type armored vehicles with an integrated 120mm Alkar-type automatic mortar weapon system have been added to the arsenal of the Turkish gendarmerie. With these weapons the Turks hope to increase the fire support power of their vehicles for counter-terrorist operations.
Regarding the matter, the Turkish Gendarmerie made the following statement on Twitter, "In order to increase fire support power in counter-terrorism operations, 120mm howitzers have been added to the Vuran vehicles of the Turkish Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie General Command) arsenal."
The Alkar-type 120 mm automatic howitzer weapon system, including subsystems, was originally designed by the Aselsan company of Turkey. According to its manufacturer's advertisement, it is a "modern weapon system integrated in a turret and equipped with an automatic barrel aiming system, an automatic ammunition supply system, a recoil mechanism and fire control systems."
CONTINUE READING
Νέα τουρκική δοκιμή στην Μ. Θάλασσα: UAV Akinci εκτόξευσε τον νέο πύραυλο IHA-230 sτα 140 χλμ λένε οι Τούρκοι (Εικόνες & Βίντεο)
The Vuran now, which is not a new vehicle, is produced by the Turkish company BMC and can carry 9 soldiers inside. The Turks say it features anti-mine and anti-ballistic protection for passengers and crew, as well as a weapons bay and an emergency exit.
The first export of the Vuran with the Alkar mortar (the final vehicle is considered a multi-purpose armored vehicle) took place in July 2021 in Kosovo. The Kosovars ordered vehicles with special night systems, automatic fire extinguishing system, automatic and remote controlled weapons base, etc.
The Turks by adding the Alkar to the Vuran created a kind of self-propelled howitzer, but the capabilities of which cannot be compared with superior vehicles of this class. The Turkish vehicle remains an armored personnel carrier, which in its armament includes a 120 mm mortar. This does not make it an artillery element, nor does it dramatically increase its destructiveness. As the Turks also mentioned, it makes it an honest combat vehicle for counter-terrorist operations, but not for realistic combat scenarios.
Turkish media did not reveal how much munitions are being carried for the gun, nor if the original capacity of 9 passengers has been reduced. We also do not know how many have been delivered and how many will be delivered to the Turkish forces in the future.
CONTINUE READING
Ο ΟΗΕ ένα βήμα πριν στείλει Κυανόκρανους στην Ουκρανία-«Θα τους σκοτώσουμε ανελέητα» είπε ο Μεντβέντεφ
What Is The Alkar Blaster?
The 120mm Alkar howitzer was first presented at the international defense exhibition IDEF in February 2017. In December of this year, the Turkish company Aselsan announced the test of the Alkar, which is also called the AHS-120.
The Turks are promoting it as a fully automated howitzer, which can rotate 360 degrees in all weather conditions.
