MKE E-Fırtına GÜRHAN Howitzer Completes Firing Tests

The firing tests of the 155mm GÜRHAN howitzer, developed by the Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE Inc.) as the electric-powered version of the T-155 Fırtına howitzer, have been successfully completed.

The T-155 Fırtına Self-Propelled Howitzers in the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) had been facing issues in exports due to engine and transmission embargoes. To overcome this, MKE Inc. integrated a hybrid powerpack into the Fırtına, announcing the completion of firing tests for the 155mm Hybrid Self-Propelled GÜRHAN Howitzer, supported by advanced software and equipment.

The Fırtına howitzers, which have served in the Turkish Armed Forces for many years and form a crucial part of the Turkish Land Forces, were equipped with a hybrid powerpack following the work conducted by MKE Inc. and Anzatsan Engineering Inc. and debuted at the EFES 2024 Exercise. The hybrid E-FIRTINA GÜRHAN (or simply GÜRHAN), developed as the electric version of the T-155 Fırtına howitzer, possesses several features, including silent movement. These advantages were made possible in line with the needs of the TAF. The most significant improvement is the conversion of the Howitzer's power pack from diesel to hybrid. This change has now removed any export barriers for GÜRHAN.

The work conducted by MKE and Anzatsan also resulted in new-generation software and system integration alongside the hybrid propulsion system. The 155mm GÜRHAN howitzer had its firing tests carried out last month in the Konya Karapınar Test Range. According to a statement by MKE, a wide variety of firing tests were successfully completed: "Having previously passed the Electric Power Pack (Hybrid) performance tests successfully, GÜRHAN, with its new platform integration, also successfully completed the firing tests at various ranges at the Karapınar Test Range."

With the conversion to the hybrid power pack, the GÜRHAN howitzers will provide significant benefits to the TAF. Foremost among these is the significantly lower fuel consumption. Additionally, the new Fırtına stands out for its lower maintenance costs, and the transition to hybrid propulsion also reduces engine and transmission change times.