Excalibur Army’s Patriot II 4x4 vehicle with Unirobotics TRAKON RCWS and (separately) GLADIUS MAX RCWS were displayed with the VENOM LR revolver cannon.

Display of CANiK’s VENOM LR 30x113 mm revolver cannon on Patriot II 4x4 and Czech EVPU Defence’s GLADIUS MAX RCWS is a signal of interest from the Czech Republic in the weapon.

SYS subsidiary Unirobotics developed the configuration of the TRAKON RCWS for VENOM LR and a series of other light to medium-calibre weaponry, which was put on the Patriot II 4x4 RCWS.

VENOM LR

VENOM LR is a revolver cannon chambered in 30x113 mm ammunition and a counterpart to the U.S.-made M230LF using chain gun mechanism and the French-made M781 using revolver mechanism. VENOM LR was acquired by CANiK when the firm acquired the British AEI Systems, which developed the revolver cannon.

The revolver cannon, thanks to the high operating speed of the mechanism, can fire at rates between 220 to 1300 RPM, making it able to engage various targets at optimal fire rates. In addition to conventional ammunition types, VENOM LR can fire proximity fuse ammunition to shoot down UAVs. Integration of a small C-UAS radar on TRAKON RCWS can allow for more comprehensive protection against UAV threats.

Turkiye as an Alternative Supplier of 30x113 mm Weapons

While the demand for higher firepower from smaller platforms and the ability to engage both ground units and UAVs at the same time has given a boost to the 30x113 mm lightweight cannons on the market, there are only a few suppliers of these weapons.

As stated before, there are only three suppliers of these weapons with a high demand for them, with Turkiye having joined the club not too long ago.

While the U.S.-made M230LF is based on the proven M230 of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, the increasing concerns over ITAR on the customer end might be a limiting factor for orders, especially in Europe and Asia.

This leaves Turkiye and France as the alternatives with better chances in Europe. Like Turkiye, France has displayed its 30x113 mm revolver cannon on several types of platforms. Considering the Turkish defence industry’s activity in Eastern Europe is on a higher level, this might serve as a basis to predict potential customers, with the Czech Republic being a recent example in terms of interest.

KORKUT on Tatra Force 6x6 Armoured Truck

VENOM LR and TRAKON are not the only Turkish land weaponry displayed on Czech platforms during the exhibition. Another interesting display is the Tatra Force 6x6 armoured truck with ASELSAN’s KORKUT gun-based air defence system using a pair of 35 mm revolver cannons capable of firing airburst ammunition.

Before this, KORKUT was integrated on Emirati Wahash 8x8 armoured vehicle including the radar/command vehicle.

Author: Kaan Azman

Editor: Özgür Ekşi