TR Army Artillery Systems & Projects

[what]

I'm impressed. Compared to established Western companies, ours a moving (relatively) fast when they see an opportunity.

 

[Huelague]

76km range of an 155mm ammunition?

 

[Saithan]

I'm hoping it's precision good and would love to see it in TSK inventory

 

[Yasar_TR]

Firtina-2 howitzer’s new version’s name has become GURHAN. But with a very important change under the hood. It has a hybrid electric drive train.
Before sending it out to the field it can be charged in 3 hours from a plug-in point. Then a diesel generator, when needed, can keep the charge at level.
It has no sound apart from the sound of moving tracks, there is no sound as the tank is in motion. Plus there is no thermal signature due to a heavy and noisy diesel engine, increasing it’s survivability against heat seeking ATGMs.
performance wise, the torque generated by the electric motor, would put any modern tank to shame.

 

[Yasar_TR]

Firtina-II has RCWS and an AC unit on the front side. This looks like Firtina-I. Where did you get that imformation? By the way, we have an Artillery related Thread.

Moved to its correct place. Thanks for reminding.
Haber Turk has made the news.
It could be the body of a firtina1 they used. But since Firtina 2 still has problems with engine supply, this it seems to be the basis of the new version to go forward. The news piece mentions the howitzers joining inventory soon. From the test they are doing, it looks like the real McCoy to me.

even army recognition has made the same news

Türkiye introduces Gürhan hybrid 155mm self-propelled howitzer for export market

Türkiye introduces Gürhan hybrid 155mm self-propelled howitzer for export market

armyrecognition.com

Can you imagine the avenues of export possibilities Gurhan can open for us?
We couldn’t export the Firtina to Azerbaijan. Now nothing to stop us. Same for any other friendly nation that needs it.

 

[Yasar_TR]

From that news:


It could be that Firtina-II will get the same treatment, but for now Gürhan does seem to be just an Firtina-I with hybrid.

Bro, there is no Firtina-1 in production. The new ones will all be Firtina-2.
She says at the beginning; ” All shooting and mobility tests have been completed“. “ it is going to enter inventory shortly”!
So, going by these words it is a done deal. They are not going to produce the old baseline model when a new improved one is in the production pipeline.
That news also says that new developments that were applied to the new model, is now being applied to GURHAN too.

quote

Gürhan retains key features from the Firtina, including the updated fire control system and a mast-mounted remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS), which also functions as an optic. This system was first introduced with the Firtina-NG variant and has now been integrated into the Gürhan. Additionally, the howitzer is capable of firing precision-guided munitions equipped with Roketsan's inertial guidance kit (MDK), featuring brake-based correction and a multi-mode fuse, which was tested from the platform earlier in 2024.

unquote.

 

[Turkic]

Gürhan's torque is 10000 newton-metre's to be exact. We can finally be able to beat the K-9 in tenders thanks to these upgrades. Espacially it's feature to operate with very low IR signature is awesome.

 

[Yasar_TR]

Gürhan's torque is 10000 newton-metre's to be exact. We can finally be able to beat the K-9 in tenders thanks to these upgrades. Espacially it's feature to operate with very low IR signature is awesome.

Nice; But these howitzers are, operating mostly 10’s of kilometres behind frontlines and stationary. The only time they will move is when they have to change positions or follow progressing fighting units. If they need to be moved to distant positions they will be carried on wheeled transports.

So being quiet is not predominantly that important. But reduced IR signature is good. However when the barrel is firing it will emit so much heat that the IR signature will hit the roof. Heat seeking missiles will go for it.

Nevertheless they are nice specs to have. It is however important not to let enemy get too near to them so that they can target them with ATGMs. Also they need to change positions frequently not to let enemy pinpoint their coordinates.

This technology will become very important if it can be applied to MBTs.

 

[boredaf]

Nice; But these howitzers are, operating mostly 10’s of kilometres behind frontlines and stationary. The only time they will move is when they have to change positions or follow progressing fighting units.

I wouldn't say that mate, in Ukraine artillery units have to resort to shoot & scoot tactics all the time, not just because of counter battery fire but also drones whizzing around in the air for both sides. I think the time when these can (relatively) safely stay on the backlines is well and truly over.

 

[Ahlatshah]

I would be very surprised if our land forces implement such an important innovation before the Americans. They must be first to apply THEN we will!!

For that reason I will not believe the news that hybrid artillery is about to be taken to inventory until the official annoucement comes alive.

Glad to be wrong though

 

[TheInsider]

Gürhan's torque is 10000 newton-metre's to be exact. We can finally be able to beat the K-9 in tenders thanks to these upgrades. Espacially it's feature to operate with very low IR signature is awesome.

After a few shots, the barrel will shine like a full moon in the clear sky.

 

[Sanchez]

It could be the body of a firtina1 they used.

I'm pretty sure this is a modified Fırtına 1 or a prototype-test vehicle MKE retained, not a new build.

But since Firtina 2 still has problems with engine supply, this it seems to be the basis of the new version to go forward.

I doubt it, I think this is at this point is just a tech demonstrator, there is nothing to suggest army is buying it at this stage. Fırtına 2 deliveries slowly continued throughout 2024 and we can now safely say the number of vehicles delivered is more than the spare engines lying around, so engine deliveries do happen, even though we have no idea on the specifics.

 

[Turkic]

E-Fırtına was under development for years. It's design is already based on Fırtına-I. So the design is probably well grown and ready to produce now. I see no reason for deliveries not to start.

MKE was showcasing the brochure of E-Fırtına in a program I participated back in 2023. I was told it's not a project but a product ready for production. No doubt it's ready in 2025.

Not saying army did or did not purchase though. Just saying they can.

 

[Sanchez]

Fırtına 2 deliveries slowly continued throughout 2024 and we can now safely say the number of vehicles delivered is more than the spare engines lying around, so engine deliveries do happen, even though we have no idea on the specifics.

As if to prove my point, a new batch of Fırtına 2s were delivered to army last week per ministry. This is the second delivery this year so far.

Millî Savunma Bakanlığında Haftalık Basın Bilgilendirme Toplantısı Gerçekleştirildi MSB | T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı

Millî Savunma Bakanlığında Haftalık Basın Bilgilendirme Toplantısı Gerçekleştirildi MSB | T.C. Millî Savunma Bakanlığı

www.msb.gov.tr

 

[Saithan]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1882709147793416402

I don't understand what's different in this F2 NG and the previous F2...

 

[Sanchez]

I don't understand what's different in this F2 NG and the previous F2

Fırtına NG is the Fırtına 2. This is not a third batch by the way, they are just reporting it late.

 

[Yasar_TR]

ABD'li şirketten FIRTINA Obüsü Şanzımanı için milyonlarca dolarlık sözleşme | SavunmaSanayiST

T-155 FIRTINA Obüsü'nde kullanılan Allison X1100-5A4 şanzıman için ABD'li Allison Transmission şirketi milyonlarca dolarlık sözleşme imzaladı.

www.savunmasanayist.com

Turkey has signed a contract with US firm Allison for millions of dollars, covering the transmission of Firtina-2 howitzers.
In addition to the 10 transmissions received last year, there will be a further 32 transmissions to be delivered in 2025. Allison expects a yearly income over 100 million dollars.
There is no new news about the engine though. Presumably Utku will be the engine of choice. But until it is ready the engine from RENK America factory will be powering the howitzers as per the news below.

There will be 140 to 160 Firtina-2 howitzers built altogether under this contract.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1731039464762327272

T-155 FIRTINA / FIRTINA-II 155mm Self Propelled Howitzers (SPH)

www.globalsecurity.org

 

[Sanchez]

Presumably Utku will be the engine of choice

I think if anything this solidifies the claims that Utku is delayed. Fırtına-II deliveries have been continuing with this engine/transmission setup since 2023 already. If more transmissions are ordered, that could mean more engines are ordered as well.

 

[Yasar_TR]

Doesn't the news say 2026 Q1?

You are correct. As 10 units were delivered in 2024, I automatically assumed the next 32 will be delivered in 2025. But as you say the delivery of 32 units will commence in Q1 2026. Thanks for correcting.
That means either the 10 units delivered in 2024 will keep the factory busy in 2025, or there will be a gap of one year for Firtina-2 deliveries because our power pack wasn’t ready.

 

[Sanchez]

Utku serial production will start at the end of 2026.

Yalçıntaş left BMC a month after this presentation, to my knowledge BMC still doesn't have a CEO at the moment, a year later. Maybe Fuat Tosyalı himself is the acting CEO now, they certainly didn't announce it publicly.

If a new batch of outside powerpacks are being ordered in the middle of an existing contract, I'd think this means timelines have shifted. We of course don't know. Frankly we also don't need to know as well. I'm happy as long as they are delivered, they can use Martian powerpacks for all I care.