KOLUMAN CEO Kaan Saltık discussed the works of KOLUMAN on various support vehicles for military use in his interview with TurDef at the IDEF25 exhibition.
Having delivered the DROPS 8x8 logistic support trucks with onboard container-laying capabilities, missile launcher trucks for ROKETSAN's latest projects, and working on the AKTAN armoured fuel tanker for the Turkish Army, KOLUMAN has become a significant supplier of support vehicles. The Company’s 12,000-litre capacity ballistic leak-proof tanker, the armoured Aktan, and the Land Forces’ logistical support vehicle Derman Drops also took part in the IDEF parade.
During the IDEF25 international defence exhibition, KOLUMAN CEO Kaan Saltık answered TurDef's questions regarding the projects and foreign interest in KOLUMAN's products.
Foreign Interest on KOLUMAN
When asked regarding the interactions with foreign delegations, Saltık replied:
"Yes, we’ve had delegations from many continents—Asia, Africa, South America. We received quite a few, which wasn’t the case before."
He also added later that the DERMAN 8x8 truck has received a considerable interest.
"I think on the DERMAN 8x8 side, we’re getting quite a bit of interest, again, for logistics. This is our speciality. We’ve chosen to specialise in military logistics and aim to provide solutions that make life easier for logistics officers. That’s our focus."
Delivery of DERMAN DROPS 8x8 Trucks Complete
Kaan Saltuk stated that the deliveries of logistic support trucks based on the DERMAN 8x8 for the DROPS programme of the Turkish Army have been completed.
"Yes, that project is completed, and we passed with flying colours. 70 units are now in operation all over Turkey, and we’re getting very positive feedback from the army brass."
DROPS programme aims to boost the logistic support capabilities within the Turkish Army with the DERMAN 8x8 trucks fitted with a container laying system, which offers quicker and safer delivery of supplies.
AKTAN Armoured Refueler
Saltık stated that the AKTAN programme, aiming to provide mobile refuelling capabilities with crew protection, is ongoing, with some deliveries being made.
"We’ve already delivered part of the contract, and by the end of the year, we hope to finalise it. All units should be operational. By the end of the third quarter, vehicles will be delivered to the Land Forces. These refuelers will operate wherever tactical vehicles are deployed and need refuelling. Since the vehicles are armoured, they can operate in conflict areas, serving behind the front lines while protecting the crew from probable attacks."
Natural Disaster Recovery Vehicles
Regarding the subject of natural disaster recovery vehicles for all armed forces service branches, Saltık replied:
"The carrier vehicle will be similar to the KISRAK. We hope to deliver KISRAK to the Turkish Army soon—our new 4x4 cross-country product that can be used as a tactical vehicle. We’ve invested a lot of effort and capital into it. Turkey is prone to natural disasters—earthquakes, floods, and avalanches. These vehicles will be equipped with all kinds of recovery equipment and delivered to land forces, the Navy, and the Air Force, with the majority going to the Army."
He added that high double-digit figures and the deliveries being completed at the end of 2026 are the goals for the programme. KISRAK 4x4 is one of the new vehicles of KOLUMAN in a lighter segment with high off-road mobility, which makes it suitable for below-acceptable road conditions.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
