The Turkish Military have acquired the primary six new T-155 Firtina 155mm self-propelled howitzers. An upgraded model dubbed “Firtina 2” was to start manufacturing in 2017, that includes enchancment to vary and price of fireplace. The brand new autos have been to be fitted with distant weapons stations able to carrying 12.7mm, 7.62mm machine weapons and 40 mm grenade launchers. The 155mm Self-propelled howitzers use the engine and transmission developed by BMC Energy. A ceremony was held to mark the supply milestone, which was attended by President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan and different officers.
President Erdogan mentioned: “We’ll improve this quantity to 140 in whole, with new deliveries within the coming interval. The brand new technology Storm howitzers have many benefits in comparison with the fashions at the moment within the stock. Because of the research carried out, each the survivability and firepower of our howitzers have been elevated. Further capabilities embrace new technology hearth management, automated ammunition loading, driver imaginative and prescient, and automated hearth extinguishing. There are lots of crucial parts similar to air con, remote-controlled weapons, renewed observe suspension tools, and a brand new technology auxiliary energy group.”
Commercial
Turkish Military Receives New Batch of T-155 Firtina 155mm Self-propelled Howitzers. (Photograph by Turkish Ministry of Nationwide Protection)
T-155 Firtina (Turkish for Storm) is a Turkish variant of K9 Thunder 155 mm self-propelled howitzer initially developed by South Korea. It’s manufactured and assembled by Turkish Land Forces on the 1010th Military Gear Restore Manufacturing unit utilizing imported subsystems from Korea. The K9 Thunder is a South Korean 155 mm self-propelled howitzer designed and developed by the Company for Protection Growth and is now manufactured by Hanwha Protection. As of 2023, the K9 collection has had a 52% share of the worldwide self-propelled howitzer market, together with wheeled autos, for the reason that 12 months 2000.
The T-155 retains a lot of the K9’s options, such because the CN98 155 mm barrel and chassis, produced by the expertise switch of Company for Protection Growth (ADD) in South Korea. Nonetheless, its turret displays authentic Turkish design, rising each ammunition capability and fight weight, thus lowering energy to weight ratio. Auxiliary Energy Unit is put in whereas commander’s panoramic sight is eliminated. Components of the chassis, the Inertial Navigation System, and digital programs such because the radio and Hearth Management System have been developed in Turkey. Inertial Navigation system was produced by ASELSAN.
