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Interview

“We Aim to Develop Innovative Products That Meet the Needs of Our Security Forces at the Highest Level!”

One of the most prominent characteristics of KALEKALIP, which had broken new ground in Turkey since 1987 when it entered the defense industry, is that it can quickly transform user requirements into new products by adding new features to existing products. Since its establishment, KALEKALIP has been meeting users` requirements with state-of-the-art products that are innovatively designed and manufactured using the strictest engineering criteria according to NATO military standards and the latest technology materials. We present our special interview with KALEKALIP General Manager Selim EROL on the company’s past and present, as well as Turkey`s first and only domestic and national 5.56x45mm Light Machine Gun KMG556, whose qualification process has just been completed and will be delivered to the Turkish Land Forces, Gendarmerie General Command, and General Directorate of Security by the beginning of 2022.

Date: Issue 111 - December 2021

Defence Turkey: Can we start our interview with a brief introduction of KALEKALIP, which was established in Istanbul in 1969 to produce molds, and the company's transition to the light weapons industry after utilizing its precision molding capabilities in the production of molds for parts used in the G3 infantry rifle?

Selim EROL: As you have stated, KALEKALIP was established in Istanbul in 1969 to produce molds used to produce ceramic floor and wall tiles. In the 1970s, KALEKALIP utilized its precision molding capabilities in the production of molds for parts used in the G3 infantry rifle. In the Euro Stinger Project between 1980-2000, KALEKALIP (joined the project in 1987) carried out the guidance section assembly, tail section assembly, booster engine assembly, grip stock assembly, and production of other miscellaneous parts, which constitute 25% of the missile system. In this way, KALEKALIP improved its system production, testing, and integration capabilities by participating in the Euro Stinger Project. KALEKALIP carried out the design, qualification process, and production of Turkey's first 40mm Automatic Grenade Launcher (OBA-KAGL40) with its own resources following the embargo in 2001. KALEKALIP, which started to develop .308, .338 caliber sniper rifles in 2007, participated in the MPT-76 National Infantry Rifle Project in 2009, and KALEKALIP engineers played an important role in the design process.