Czechia-based CSG announced the formation of a JV between its subsidiary Excalibur Army and ASELSAN and a new configuration of KORKUT on a 6x6 Tatra truck.
ASELSAN is deepening its ties in Eastern Europe with the formation of a JV with Czechia’s Excalibur Army, a subsidiary of CSG, and the development of a truck-based configuration of the combat-proven KORKUT 35 mm air defence system.
The new configuration of KORKUT will get its platform from Tatra. The upcoming configuration, which was previously spotted during IDET2025 at Tatra’s booth, is likely to use the third-generation Tatra Force 6x6 armoured truck as it was presented.
Compared to armoured fighting vehicles (AFV), trucks are cheaper and highly abundant. Thus, KORKUT on a truck has some degree of export appeal for potential customers looking for truck-based air defence systems.
KORKUT, in service with the Turkish Army, is a mobile air defence system armed with a pair of modified 35 mm GDF autocannons and AKREP 100-G fire control radar. The system’s signature feature is the ATOM airburst ammunition, which is programmed at the muzzle to spread tungsten pellets, which allows a better chance of hitting and disabling the target. Airburst ammunition has become a key area of investment for C-UAS efforts following the rapid proliferation of UAVs in the field.
Alternatively, with conventional ammunition, KORKUT can also be utilised against ground targets thanks to its large calibre.
KORKUT Family
So far, KORKUT has been integrated on FNSS ACV AD tracked vehicle (KORKUT 150/35, the baseline variant), Otokar ARMA 8x8 AFV (KORKUT 140/35), and the UAE’s Wahash 8x8 AFV (KORKUT 141/35).
Additionally, ASELSAN has developed the KORKUT SB family as a single-barrel solution for mobile use. KORKUT 120/25 SB (4x4 tactical vehicle) and KORKUT 130/25 SB (Towed) use the smaller 25 mm cannon gun with ATOM 25 pre-fragmented airburst rounds, while KORKUT 100/35 SB, based on a 6x6 truck, adopts an array of KALKAN 050-G AESA radars and KANGAL jammers.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
