Aselsan and Excalibur are developing a new ZAK for the European market.
The design of the new ZAK from Aselsan and Excalibur
Turkish defense industry company Aselsan A.Ş. plans to enter the European military equipment market. To this end, it recently signed an agreement with the Czech company Excalibur International. The joint venture plans to launch production of a new self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. artillery complex. The combat vehicle, built using off-the-shelf components, will be offered as a modern means of combating unmanned aerial vehicles. aviation and high-precision weapons.
International cooperation
On February 4, 2026, the Czech industrial group CSG announced the start of a new joint project. Its subsidiary, Excalibur International, signed a cooperation agreement with the Turkish arms and equipment manufacturer Aselsan A.Ş. The two companies intend to establish a joint venture that will promote their products on the European market.
CSG also revealed the new joint venture's plans for the near future. The Turkish and Czech companies will develop a new self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery system. The general design of this vehicle has already been unveiled, and the design is expected to be completed and put into production in the near future.
The joint venture will be established and registered in Europe. It will likely be based at one of CSG's sites in the Czech Republic. This joint venture will master the licensed assembly of key components. It will also handle final assembly of the new model's systems.
To speed up and simplify development, the new air defense system is based on off-the-shelf components and products already available on the market. For example, the Czech company will provide the Tatra wheeled chassis, while the Turkish company will supply the Korkut combat modules.
The Korkut tracked munitions system, manufactured for the Turkish Army.
The advanced ZAK is positioned as a modern short-range air defense system designed to combat typical modern threats. Typical targets for such a system include UAVs of various classes, from small to heavy, and some types of high-precision weapons, as well as low-altitude aviation.
The timeframe for completing the new plans has not yet been announced. It can be assumed that all organizational issues were resolved by the time the contract was signed. Now the Czech and Turkish parties can begin the actual work and prepare for production. Depending on various factors, this process could take several months.
The development of the new air defense system won't take long either. A prototype system in its new configuration could begin testing as early as this year. Furthermore, the prototype is expected to be officially unveiled at one of the upcoming military-technical exhibitions. This will mark the beginning of a full-scale advertising campaign for the European market.
Joint development
The design of the new air defense system from Excalibur and Aselsan is distinguished by its simplicity. It envisions the installation of a ready-made combat module with anti-aircraft weapons on one of the available vehicle chassis. Only some of the simple components will need to be developed from scratch. This architecture will undoubtedly simplify the development, production, and operation of the equipment.
The new system will be based on the Czech-made Tatra Force series chassis. It is proposed to use a three-axle vehicle with an extended frame and wheelbase. The CIWS will feature a double-row armored cabin housing the crew and controls. A platform containing target equipment, including a combat module, will be mounted behind the cabin. Interestingly, this system does not require outrigger jacks and will be capable of firing from wheels.
As part of the "Force" series, Tatra produces trucks and chassis with similar designs but varying configurations. All such vehicles feature a backbone frame, 8- or 12-cylinder engines producing up to 690 hp, independent suspension, and more. Apparently, Aselsan and Excalibur have already determined which version of this vehicle will be the optimal carrier for the weapon station.
Self-propelled radar from the Korkut
The ZAK will be equipped with the Korkut turret, modification 140/35. This is a fully-fledged unmanned combat module with weapons, ammunition storage and supply systems, and the necessary fire control systems. Furthermore, the combat module comes with an automated operator workstation. This is located separately; in the case of the new system, it will be installed inside the cabin.
The Korkut has a hull-turret made of armored steel, providing protection against bullets and shrapnel. The frontal section houses an oscillating gun mount, which has its own protective casing. The turret design allows for 360-degree traverse and firing at high elevation angles. However, the platform's design can limit firing angles.
The Korkut 140/35 is equipped with two 35mm Oerlikon KDC-02 automatic cannons, manufactured under license in Turkey. These cannons fire 35x228mm ammunition and have a rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute. When firing at aerial targets, the effective slant range reaches 4 km.
The module's ammunition complement includes 200 rounds for both guns. It can fire a wide range of 35mm single-shot rounds with various projectile types. In particular, Aselsan produces a projectile with a programmable fuse.
The combat module is equipped with its own radar for tracking air targets and fire control. Mounted on the same base as its antenna is an optronic station with day, night, and laser rangefinding channels. Data from the radar and the optronic station is processed by an onboard computer, and these data are used to calculate commands for the guidance drives and the projectile programmer.
The Aselsan Korkut can operate in various modes. It can independently search for aerial targets and then engage them. Furthermore, the combat vehicle can be integrated into a full-fledged system, also including a fully functional radar. In this case, the detection range for large targets exceeds 60-70 km.
The problem of competition
Turkish company Aselsan reports that its Korkut combat module, both independently and as part of various systems, demonstrates high performance and offers broad combat capabilities. The stated performance characteristics have been repeatedly confirmed in field tests.
A promising anti-aircraft gun based on a Czech chassis is proposed as a counter-UAV and anti-precision weapon system. It is claimed that its modern fire control system, 35mm rapid-fire cannons, and wide range of ammunition will enable it to effectively accomplish its intended combat missions.
The two companies are counting on interest from potential customers. They anticipate that the specific nature of recent armed conflicts will provide some visibility for their project. Armies across the globe, including European ones, recognize the potential and threat of unmanned aircraft, which requires an appropriate response. Aselsan and Excalibur are now ready to offer a solution to this problem.
However, the commercial success of the announced ZAK is not guaranteed. Aselsan isn't the only company currently working on counter-UAV issues. A number of similar systems and complexes are already available on the international market, and new developments are regularly announced.
The Aselsan-Excalibur joint venture will face stiff competition. In the current situation, potential customers will carefully examine the proposed systems, consider various factors, and perhaps even be picky about the bidders—all in an effort to secure the most favorable terms.
It remains to be seen whether the Turkish-Czech association will be able to bring its ZAK to the stage of actual competitions and tenders, and overcome its competitors. However, it is expected that such processes will begin very soon, and their results will soon be known.
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