Turkish UGV BARKAN Successfully Fires Its First Guided Missile
Havelsan, which operates in the defense and informatics sectors in Turkey, is continuing its efforts to integrate various weapon systems into the BARKAN unmanned ground vehicle. As part of these efforts, the company recently integrated the Roketsan-developed laser-guided mini-missile system Mete into Barkan. Following the Barkan integration work, the system fired its first laser-guided missile, which successfully hit the target. With this test, Barkan became Turkey’s first unmanned ground vehicle capable of firing guided missiles.
Barkan, also known as the “robot soldier” in Turkish media, is a medium class unmanned ground vehicle designed and manufactured by Havelsan to meet the needs of modern warfare. Barkan was developed to play an auxiliary role for field personnel in many areas, most notably in increasing the operational success of the Turkish Armed Forces, reducing military losses, and lowering operational costs. BARKAN, with its autonomous features and modular design that allows different payloads to be integrated, can perform a variety of tasks such as attacking with various types of weapons, transporting equipment, carrying wounded personnel, bomb disposal, reconnaissance and surveillance, and war damage reconnaissance. Within the framework of HAVELSAN’s “digital unit” concept, the system also includes a swarm infrastructure that will enable it to carry out joint operations with other autonomous systems.
To date, Aselsan’s 7.62mm Sarp-L Remote Controlled Weapon System, Roketsan’s laser-guided mini-missile system Mete, the robotic arm system, and the 3-meter mast system for reconnaissance-surveillance missions have all been integrated into BARKAN. A special multiple launch system is also being developed to be integrated into the Barkan. HAVELSAN intends to incorporate high-power laser systems into the system as well.
Havelsan plans to test the Kapgan unmanned ground vehicle, which it developed with the knowledge gained from developing BARKAN, in the first half of this year. Kapgan, which was first displayed at the SAHA EXPO International Defense and Aviation Fair in October of last year, is a heavy class unmanned ground vehicle developed within the scope of the “digital unit” concept, which allows unmanned ground, air, and naval vehicles to work together in swarms. The system, which is far more advanced than Barkan, is notable for its 600 kg payload capacity, 25 km/h top speed, 6-hour mission time, and 30x113mm gun system. The BAHA UAV, which was developed by the company within the scope of the “digital unit” concept and was recently updated, is expected to enter the Turkish Armed Forces inventory in 2023.