ISTANBUL — Turkey’s Ministry of Defense published its annual report on March 7, detailing the activities it carried out in 2023 and its future goals.
The ministry listed 49 ongoing modernization and acquisition projects across the military. Check out some that stood out:
Ground Forces
M60 Tank: Two separate modernization projects are underway. The former will replace the existing fire control system with the new Volkan-M, as well as provide additional armor and protected crew positions on the M60T tanks. The contract was signed in January 2023. The second enhances the firepower, survivability and mobility of the M60A3 tanks. Prototype development studies are ongoing.
Leopard 2 A4 tank: The platform variant is undergoing modernization work through a contract signed in 2022 between the government’s defense program management agency SSB and local defense contractor BMC Otomotiv. Aselsan, another Turkish company, provides the fire control systems. Remote controlled weapon stations. command, control, communication and information systems; laser warning systems. driver vision systems. active protection systems; and close-range surveillance systems. BMC will integrate these systems into the tank and repair the chassis.
Self-propelled howitzer T-155 Firtina: The next generation of the T-155 is under construction by BMC Otomotiv. The initial contract covers the delivery of 130 units. By the end of 2023, the company had delivered eight. BMC is also developing an engine for the gun. Inspection and acceptance activities of the prototype engine were completed on February 24, 2023.
ACV-15 Vehicle: Aselsan modernizes the combat vehicle by providing the Nefer 25mm turret, among other systems. The Department of Defense’s Main Maintenance Plant Division II conducts the repair and overhaul of the vehicle’s engine and transmission.
Naval Forces
Milden Submarine Project: The Navy’s design office is developing the nation’s first indigenous submarine program. The shipbuilding is to take place at the Gölcük Shipyard Administration. A test block is due to be built this year, and efforts to build the first submarine are scheduled to begin in 2025.
Reis-class submarine program: Hizirreis, the second submarine of the Reis project, which includes the production of six submarines, was launched on May 25, 2023. The Gölcük Naval Shipyard is carrying out the work.
Prevezi class submarine: After the completion and testing activities on the TCG Preveze submarine, which served as a test bed for the on-time delivery of the systems, Gölcük Naval Shipyard began mid-life upgrades for the TCG Sakarya in July 2022. This platform is the first submarine which received the modernization features and the work is in progress. The plan is to modernize all Preveze-class submarines during maintenance and overhaul periods until 2027.
Barbaros class frigate: THE Turkey is working on a mid-life modernization project focused on the sensors, weapons and combat management systems of Barbaros-class frigates. The first ship to receive upgrades, TCG Barbaros, is currently undergoing acceptance testing.
Air Force
F-16 fighter jet: There are two separate projects for the Turkish Air Force. The first is to procure new F-16 Block 70 aircraft and apply the Viper upgrade to existing F-16 Block 40/50 aircraft in service. The second is intended to extend the structural life of F-16C/D Block 40/50 aircraft in service through 2050 and structurally strengthen them. This project will be carried out at facilities managed by the 1st Aviation Maintenance Plant Directorate.
Drone Akinci and Anka-S: There are ongoing efforts to purchase various types of Akinci and Anka-S drones. For both of these projects, Turkey considers extending their range via satellite as critical.
Hürjet aircraft: The primary objective of this project is to design and produce a single-engine, two-seat jet trainer with performance characteristics that will play a critical role in pilot training for modern fighter aircraft. The prototype made its maiden flight in April 2023.
Hürkuş-B aircraft: This program for a new generation core trainer jet is intended to meet the Air Force Command’s need for an additional trainer aircraft. Ultimately, this is to improve the quality of combat readiness training and the effectiveness of flight personnel training. The first aircraft is scheduled to be delivered in 2025.
Cem Devrim Yaylali is a correspondent for Defense News in Turkey. He is a keen photographer of warships and has a passion for writing about naval and defense issues. He was born in Paris, France and lives in Istanbul, Turkey. He is married with a son.
Read the original at Defence247.gr
