AFYON 8th Maintenance Factory Directorate (8th MMFD)
The 8th Main Maintenance Factory Directorate, which is located at General Asım Gündüz Barracks in the center of Afyonkarahisar, was established in 1944 under the name Small Railway Repair Workshop Facilities, marking the beginning of its significant contribution to the military industry.
Initially known as Small Railway Repair Workshop Facilities (1944-1950), the factory has undergone several name changes over the years: Engineer Main Repair Factory Command (1950-1955), 500th Main Depot and Factory Command (1955-1992), 500th Engineer Main Depot and Factory Command (1992-2003), 8th Maintenance Center Command (2003-2006), 8th Main Maintenance Center Command (2006-2016), and since 2016, it has been known as the 8th Main Maintenance Factory Directorate.
The 8th MMFD manufactures Ballistic Composite Helmets, Ballistic Protective Vests, and Helicopter Floor Armor solutions in accordance with the NIJ 01.01.04 standard of the American National Institute of Justice, which is accepted as the international standard in ballistic product production. In addition to ballistic products, the factory also undertakes the manufacturing and refurbishment activities of Inflatable Raiding Craft (not to be confused with RHIB/Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats).
The factory produces and refurbishes Commando Tactical Vests, Modular Ballistic Protective Vests (Type A), Armored Vehicle Personnel Protective Vests (Type Z), and Aircrew (Pilot/Technician) Protective Vests as Ballistic Protective Vest solutions. The configuration of the vests is customized according to the user's requirements, and the ballistic protection levels vary. The vests can protect against fragmentation according to STANAG 2920 and against different caliber bullets as per NIJ 0101.04 Levels III-A, III, and IV.
The Modular Ballistic Vests are produced to meet the needs of security forces and have an ergonomic design that allows various types of accessories to be mounted on the vest as desired. The Modular Ballistic Vests can hold hard armor plates on the front/back and sides, and the vets can be equipped with additional armor to protect the pelvic area. The more ergonomic and lighter Commando Tactical Vests were designed based on the feedback and suggestions of Commando Units to better meet their needs. The configuration of the vest was finalized accordingly.
Designed for the armored vehicle crews, the Armored Vehicle Personnel Protective Vests have an outer shell made from flame-resistant fabric. The inner part of the vest also contains flame-resistant mesh fabric. This design aims to protect the personnel inside the armored vehicle from flames in the event of an attack. The Aircrew (Pilot/Technician) Protective Vests are manufactured to address the threats that personnel may encounter during air operations. The configuration of the vest was designed with the necessary requirements in mind, allowing aircrew members to perform their duties ergonomically and functionally. The Aircrew Protective Vests consist of two parts, front and back, providing a quick release capability in case of an emergency. All ballistic vests, except for the lighter Commando Tactical Vests, are equipped with soft inner armor inserts made from aramid fabric (NIJ Level III-A). For hard armor, the vests use Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) plates providing NIJ Level III protection or ceramic plates providing NIJ Level IV protection. Alongside Ballistic Protective Vests, the factory also produces various other items, such as Basic and Advanced Level First Aid Kits, Individual Emergency Response Kits, Operation Bags, Ceremony Sword Sheaths, and more.
The 8th MMFD manufactures Ballistic Composite Helmets with NIJ 0101.04 Level III-A protection in both Low-Cut and High-Cut models. These helmets can be produced with or without accessories in different colors (Khaki, Tan, Black) to meet the requirements of tactical operations. The new-type Ballistic Composite Helmets are manufactured from Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) to ensure lightweight or resin-based aramid fabric that is resistant to temperature and environmental conditions. The helmets are equipped with night vision mounts, accessory rails, and stabilizing bungees to accommodate various types of equipment depending on the operational requirements. Additionally, the helmets feature an Adjustable Dial 4 Points Retention System (Chin Strap), a new ergonomic internal structure, and an impact-absorbing inner surface for improved usability. Depending on the materials, the Low-Cut helmets weigh between 1,310-1,450 grams (UHMWPE) or 1,670-1,760 grams (Aramid), and the High-Cut helmets weigh between 1,190-1,330 grams (UHMWPE) or 1,550-1,640 grams (Aramid). The weights include accessory rails, which add approximately 225 grams. Similarly, Up-Armor Side Covers produced by the 8th MMFD can be used with High-Cut Ballistic Composite Helmets to protect the ears better. The side covers (270 gr) are made from Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) and Carbon fiber composites, providing NIJ 0101.04 Level III-A protection. The factory collaborates with private companies to produce NIJ 0101.04 Level IV armor. Ballistic vests and helmets have been exported to Gambia, Pakistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Another ballistic product manufactured and refurbished by the 8th MMFD is the add-on Helicopter Floor Armor. The factory has the capability to produce modular floor armor with NIJ 0101.04 Level III protection for various types of helicopters in the Turkish Armed Forces inventory, including the S-70, Cougar, and Mi-17 Helicopters. The Helicopter Floor Armors are made from Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE).
In addition to ballistic products, the 8th MMFD also carries out the manufacturing and refurbishment of Inflatable Raiding Craft (IRC, made of Hypalon or Neoprene) to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces. The factory produces the G-470 Inflatable Raiding Craft, which has a capacity of 10 personnel, and the G-410 Inflatable Raiding Craft, which has a capacity of 8 personnel. The factory is also conducting R&D activities for inflatable rubber boats of various sizes that might be needed by the Turkish Armed Forces. In the subsequent period, the factory aims to produce Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIB) as well.
Within the Quality Management Directorate of the 8th MMFD, the Ballistic Test Laboratory conducts ballistics tests according to NIJ 0101.04 and NIJ 0101.06 standards as part of the quality control of products manufactured by the factory. In addition to these activities, the factory can also perform ballistic testing for other products, such as ballistic gun ports, ballistic shields, ballistic glass, and ballistic visors, under the revolving fund framework.
The construction of a new production facility, material storage area, and ballistic testing laboratory with the capacity to meet the required indoor area is being carried out by the General Directorate of Military Factories. This new production facility will feature a modern and more technological production line equipped with advanced machinery, allowing for the use of an automation system. With the new production line, certain processes will be carried out without human intervention, ensuring high-quality and standardized production. This increase in the production capacity of the 8th MMFD will enable the swift fulfillment of the Turkish Armed Forces' ballistic product needs.
Additionally, the Accredited Ballistic Test Center to be established will feature a longer shooting range, allowing for the testing of higher-caliber munitions for vehicle armoring technology
