From Kamikaze to Drummers: Turkey Boosts the Development of Army Aviation and Air Defense

T129 ATTACK

The Turkish defense industry presidency, responsible for military supplies, has unveiled an ambitious procurement plan for 2020, despite the country's economy being in dire straits and the government spending money on wars in several military theaters, including Iraq and Syria. Defense News writes about this, listing the most important items from the point of view of Ankara. Judging by the priorities set, Ankara is clearly speeding up the development of the army aviation and air defense.

From kamikaze to drummers

By the end of 2020, it is planned to begin deliveries of shock drone Baykar. On January 20 of this year, he had already made a second test flight, which lasted 66 minutes. In the same year, the transmission of the Kargu-2 kamikaze UAV will start. In total, it is planned to purchase 356 drones of this type. In 2020, it is planned to begin the transfer of the Alpagu strike tactical UAV, which they want to entrust with the task of fighting Kurdish militants in southeast Turkey. The intention to sign a contract for the supply of transport drones was announced.

The Ground Forces will conclude an agreement in 2020, which provides for the acquisition of dozens of basic training helicopters. Apparently, a choice has to be made between the H135 from the French Airbus, the Anglo-Italian TH-119 and the GXi (or 429 GlobalRanger) from the American Bell.

In 2020, the delivery of a locally-developed T625 multi-purpose helicopter is expected (an engine of its own production TS1400 is being created for it) and the ATAK FAZ-2 attack rotorcraft created in Turkey, which is an improved version of the ATAK T129 (built under license from the Italian-British company AgustaWestland). The new modification has an attack warning system and electronic warfare. It is planned to purchase the first batch of 21 cars of this model. At the end of 2020, the TCG Anadolu universal landing ship, also a helicopter carrier, should enter service.

Air defense Hisar

Air defense for Syria

In 2020, it is planned to begin test firing of portable air defense systems and Hisar-O medium-range air defense systems developed in Turkey. As the head of the country, Recep Erdogan, explained in early February, Hisar-A, a short-range version, will be deployed along the border with Syria. This year, the Turkish military should also be armed with a Korkut air defense system operating on low-flying targets.

However, Defense News doubts the feasibility of implementing this program:

Fiscal constraints and technological barriers likely to delay several programs

- leads the publication the opinion of one of the analysts.

Kargu-2

Comments

[bessmertniy]

In Turkey, appetite comes during the war. Erdogan’s world is not happy with something.

[Lexus]

The Turkish defense industry has grown strongly over the past decade and does not even think to slow down. Naturally, all this "LJJ" is not without reason.

[Klingon]

Quote: bessmertniy

In Turkey, appetite comes during the war. Erdogan’s world is not happy with something.

just have not yet received any good fried plush from anyone, here is a peacock and spread its feathers
... it is urgent to clone as many Kurds from the PKK as possible))

[Odysseus]

As for the difficult situation in the economy, there is a clear exaggeration. Since 2010, the economy has grown at a very fast pace, only in 2019 there was stagnation. Regarding military programs, the development of air defense and army aviation is quite reasonable, these are the weakest spots of the Turkish army. Plus, the Altai tank began to be purchased, which is also quite reasonable, the Turkish tank fleet is very large, but already outdated.
One can note the laudable desire to move from net purchases of foreign weapons to joint, and sometimes even to own production. The truth is not always successful, but they are stubbornly moving in this direction.
As for the fighting qualities of the Turkish army, judging by what is shown in Syria and Iraq, it does not shine. But the army is so large that in the case of a regional war, these shortcomings are insignificant.

[rotmistr60]

Turkey boosts the development of army aviation and air defense

To be objective, any normal country cares about increasing the capabilities of its armed forces and strengthening its military potential. Therefore, in this regard, everything is natural.

will be deployed along the border with Syria

So they do not exclude retaliatory actions against their aggression.

[rocket757]

There are many different plans, intentions. He wins, sometimes it’s bold, on the other hand, he flies so often !!!
We'll see.

[Calm]

Maybe again flights to Turkey can be canceled, and everyone can read Pikul "Bayazet"

[Fedor Sokolov]

For a country dreaming of a revival of the Ottoman Empire, this is normal.

[Sarcasm]

They tear and stretch out of all veins, but are very dependent on supplies from abroad, so they do not have sovereignty in this regard.
American engines on an ATAC helicopter - export without star-striped approval is impossible, on an ALTAY and self-propelled gun Firtin a German engine, again the same story, etc. To produce such weapons only for their own aircraft without the possibility of export and thereby reducing costs is VERY expensive, so richer than Turkey countries can not afford.
Big ambitions, the Turks updated the submarine fleet, build surface ships, daydreaming with their own fighter, etc., etc., but so far the Turks have not gone half the way of creating a self-sufficient and sovereign military-industrial complex and capable of independently producing most weapons systems. If this happens, then not under Erdogan, another 25 years is needed at least.

[Mentat]

Quote: Odyssey

As for the fighting qualities of the Turkish army, judging by what is shown in Syria and Iraq, it does not shine.

This is to put it mildly. You can recall the brilliant use of tanks by the Turks against the Kurds, which suggests that the tank school is not there at all, it is not even zero, it is less than zero.
What will happen in a serious collision using heavy equipment? A fiasco and burnt skeletons?

But the army is so large that in the case of a regional war, these shortcomings are insignificant.

Throw a mass? These times are long gone. Now it is extremely important to learn, experience and ability of command.