The Goal of MKEK in line with its 2023 Vision is to Nationalize the 127 mm Naval Gun
Defence Turkey: Could you evaluate the firing test conducted on November 10 and which is important for the initiation of the Qualification Process of the 76/62 mm Naval Gun?
Yasin AKDERE: In the 76/62 mm National Naval Gun project, in a short period of 12 months, together with our solution partners, we have developed a product that can meet the needs of our Naval Forces from A to Z with an indigenous design and has critical distinctions compared to the equivalents in the world. As of yesterday, we started the qualification firings. Such firings were performed individually and in series. As soon as we finalize the firing schedule, we will deploy our product on our ship.
Defence Turkey: As far as we know, this ship is planned to be the National CMS integrated ADA Class Corvette or GABYA Class Frigate…
Yasin AKDERE: It's true; the ship has already been identified. Our Naval Forces Command has completed the necessary work. We will indigenize our product by bringing it to our Istanbul Shipyard from Karapınar, Konya. Our first priority is to quickly complete the necessary activities and include our product in the inventory of our Naval Forces. But of course, this is not enough; our next step is to indigenize the munition. We are about to finalize the efforts there. We carry out our R&D activities simultaneously. While we indigenize the munition, we go further and execute activities regarding smart munition.
Defence Turkey: As MKEK, you already acquired the ability to produce air-burst ammunition from previous projects. Could you tell us about the munition types you are working on?
Yasin AKDERE: As you know, we are producing ATOM 35mm air burst ammunition together with ASELSAN. We are developing air-burst and smart ammunition for the 76/62 mm within this scope. We are about to complete our work on GPS and laser guidance. Our primary goal is to add these to the inventory. Our next step is to rapidly develop the 127 mm Naval Gun domestically.
Defence Turkey: The 76/62 mm has the potential to be used on many ships, especially overseas. However, the 127 mm is a very limited market and quantities are quite low. Did you initiate your development activities by conducting a feasibility study or market research on this matter?
Yasin AKDERE: That’s a very good question. Our company title is Mechanical and Chemical Industry Inc, but we are a 100% government-owned corporation. Since we are a state-owned corporation, we do not pursue any feasibility studies or profit at this point if our Armed Forces and Security Forces have any requirements. In order to solve the problems encountered in supply, we will produce and add these products to the inventory even if unprofitable, and meet the needs.
Defence Turkey: You finalized the 76/62mm in 12 months, is there any time schedule for the 127 mm?
Yasin AKDERE:We planned it as 2023 at the latest. As you know, our colleagues showed an outstanding performance at this year's IDEF’ 21. Our goal is to launch the 127 mm Naval Gun in IDEF’23. The 76/62 mm Naval Gun consists of 16,800 pieces. We were producing barrels for a foreign company in advance. We have completely digitized this product; its feeding unit or balancing with gyros on the ship. We have a digital product. It is one of the best examples in its class. We have reached this point by gathering together 16,800 parts and ensuring their tolerance and adaptation.
Defence Turkey: You have just pointed to the smart munition for the 76/62 mm Naval Gun. Will there be a radar on the gun, as in the examples abroad?
Yasin AKDERE: No, there will be just munition. We will make the munition smart.
Defence Turkey: Could you give man/hour information for the 76/62 mm Naval Gun, which was developed in 12 months?
Yasin AKDERE: Approximately 300 man/hours monthly. It's just for engineering, not for manufacturing. We divided 16,800 pieces into 5 main groups as cupola, weapon system, hydraulic, hull and software equipment. Separate teams worked on these groups. Some of our colleagues were saying that the R&D studies could not be finished before 72 months, but we said we would finish it in 12 months. To achieve this, we divided it into packages. 5 different teams consisting of about 300 staff worked simultaneously for these packages.
Defence Turkey: When we visited Istanbul Shipyard before, we saw that there was a considerable maintenance/repair capability. What would you say about your subcontractor/stakeholders apart from MKEK?
Yasin AKDERE: I have to say that our biggest supporter in bringing this project at this point is our Naval Forces. Our Naval Forces Command, Shipyard General Directorate, the commanders and colleagues at Istanbul Shipyard Command should be given credit for the realization of the work. Also, as I previously said, we divided it into packages. We managed the packages with our solution partners; one with İĞREK Makina, one with ERMAKSAN and one with ANZATSAN. I would also like to thank them from here, their efforts were great
