Türkiye is set to enhance its armored vehicle fleet with the addition of modern active protection systems.
The AKKOR active protection system, designed by ASELSAN, has successfully completed its trial phases and will begin deployment with the Altay main battle tanks starting in 2025.
In addition to its integration with the next-generation Altay tanks, AKKOR will also be installed on the Leopard 2A4 tanks and Korhan light armored vehicles within the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) inventory.
The inclusion of AKKOR technology elevates the Altay to a 3+ Generation battle tank, providing substantial upgrades to its survivability on the modern battlefield.
AKKOR, developed by ASELSAN, is specifically designed to protect heavy armored vehicles from incoming threats. According to ASELSAN, the system is modular and capable of being mounted on a variety of platforms, enabling it to safeguard vehicles from guided anti-tank missiles and rockets. The system features four high-resolution radars that monitor for threats in all directions, allowing for a rapid response that minimizes the likelihood of false alarms.
Aktif Koruma Sistemi AKKOR’u dünyada sadece üç ülke yapabiliyor
▪️AKKOR sisteminin deneme aşamaları tamamlandı ve 2025 yılında Altay tanklarıyla birlikte envantere alınacak.
▪️AKKOR, TSK envanterindeki Leopard 2A4 tanklarına ve Korhan hafif zırhlı aracına da monte edilecek.… pic.twitter.com/4EaFQAHA5W
— Oğuzhan Uygun (@ogzhn_uyg) November 14, 2024
“The AKKOR system utilizes advanced algorithms to distinguish between genuine threats and non-threats, ensuring the best possible defensive response,” ASELSAN explained in a statement. The system’s short-range radars keep the vehicle’s electromagnetic signature low, providing an additional layer of security by making the vehicle less detectable.
Once an incoming threat is detected, sensors relay data to the vehicle’s battle management system, boosting overall situational awareness for the crew. The system then activates a two-barrel trainable launcher, which is rotated towards the direction of the threat. The countermeasure is deployed with precise timing, designed to detonate at the exact interception point to neutralize the incoming projectile.
The AKKOR active protection system is a crucial upgrade for the Turkish military, which has been looking to modernize its armored capabilities to counter a variety of potential threats in a rapidly evolving regional security landscape. The development represents a significant step forward for Türkiye’s defense industry, which has increasingly sought to develop indigenous solutions to enhance its military capabilities.
The Altay tank, which will carry the AKKOR system, is a new generation of Turkish main battle tanks designed for a wide range of combat scenarios. With the addition of AKKOR, it becomes better equipped to tackle asymmetrical threats and ensure the survivability of both the crew and the vehicle in high-intensity combat operations.