Success In Equipping Mini UAVs With Rifles, Turkey Has Drones With Grenade Launchers

Asisguard drone at SAHA Expo, Istanbul, Turkey. (Source: Anadolu Agency via Daily Sabah)

JAKARTA - The Turkish defense industry company Asisguard continues to innovate in presenting mini unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones with weapons.

After previously successfully installing 5.56-millimeter guns on mini UAVs, the company has armed the drone named Songar with a 40-millimeter or 1.6-inch grenade launcher.

"This takes a step further", Barış Düzgün, the company's general manager told Anadolu Agency (AA) during the SAHA Expo, a major defense event in the Turkish metropolis Istanbul, citing Daily Sabah November 10.

After opening on Wednesday, the four-day event showcased Turkish defense products including UAVs, weapons, radar systems, and land and naval vehicles.

There are also panels on topics such as the space program, defense industry cooperation, and engine development.

Düzgün said his company aims to provide one type of drone with multiple payloads rather than designing a different type of drone.

For the next step, he said the company plans to equip the drones with smoke bombs so they can help stop the riots.

Beyond conventional weapons, work to equip drones with high-power laser systems is underway, and during the exhibition, a protocol will be signed by Asisguard, Turkish defense company Havelsan, and the Information Security and Informatics Research Center of the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council (TUBITAK BILGEM), he said.

"In addition, the work on missile options is progressing quickly. R&D is like planting seeds, it must continue for a long time", he said.

Regarding exports, he said drones have been exported to two countries so far. Meanwhile, talks with the three countries have reached the signing stage.

He stressed that the company first tried the new cargo in Turkey before offering it to other countries.

To note, in recent years, Turkey has become a rising star in the global defense and aviation industry.

Particularly in the field of aviation and UAV, Turkey has several companies and brands such as Baykar and TAI that manufacture aerial vehicles mostly using local resources.