Manned and unmanned land vehicles dominate IDEF 2023 floor in Istanbul

ISTANBUL — In addition to some new naval offerings, Turkish firms unveiled their latest developments in land systems platforms at IDEF 2023, where a field of manned and unmanned land vehicles crowded the exhibition floor.

Aselsan, the Turkish giant defense manufacturer that reserved the largest indoor and outdoor stand at the show, unveiled four manned, multi-purpose armored vehicles on the second day of the show. At a ceremony in the outdoor area, Aselsan CEO Haluk Gorgun showed off the wheeled Gokberk mobile laser weapon system, Gokdemir missile launching system, and Goksun and Gurz air and missile defense systems.

Gokberk’s mobile laser system is augmented by other counter-drone tech and is billed as able to counter mini- and micro-UAVs with soft kill and hard kill capabilities. Gokdemir has a rotating turret for missile-based air defenses, and is capable of multiple engagement and successive firing abilities with data link for mid-course guidance, according to the company.

Gurz is an air defense system for autonomous operations with AESA radar with 35 mm gun and missile launcher. Less information was available for the Goksun, which looked similar to Gruz on the show floor.

Elsewhere Turkey’s Otokar showed off its Alpar, the first Turkish heavy-class tracked and armored unmanned ground vehicle mounted with guns and electro-optical systems with a laser designator. Company officials told Breaking Defense that the vehicle can be driven by remote control but they are working on operational autonomy.

The vehicle at IDEF was a technology demonstrator, but the final vehicle is expected to play a role in manned and unmanned teaming in operations, and can be used as counter-UAV vehicle with its armament loads.

FNSS took the opportunity of the show to reveal its Kaplan hybrid vehicle, equipped with hybrid power pack, that can be powered electrically or via diesel. The first prototype was exhibited at IDEF, and the company expects the critical verification tests to start by the end of 2023.

According to the company statement, the tracked armored vehicle “features silent drive, and the ability to integrate new generation weapon systems with high energy needs. All these developments enable the vehicle to be used in combat and reconnaissance scenarios.”

Meanwhile, Roketsan have also unveiled Burc Mads its first mobile air defense system mounted with anti-aircraft defense missiles and a 20mm caliber three barrel cannon. The exhibited vehicle has ESA radar and rotational turret as well as command and control system.

According to the company’s officials at the show, Burc Mads maximum range is 8 kilometers.

The bevy of manned and unmanned land vehicles does not come as much of a surprise, as Breaking Defense has reported the outsized impact land vehicles have had on Turkey’s defense industry, especially through some $835 million exports, according to Turkish industry report.