WEAPONS FREE-2023 Activity Accomplished Successfully
The Distinguished Observer Day of the “WEAPONS FREE-2023” activity was recently held in Polatlı, Ankara with the participation of the Minister of National Defense Yaşar GÜLER and accompanied by high-ranking military officials on 13th October.
Within the scope of the WEAPONS FREE-2023 activity, 50 different weapons of various calibers and ranges and gun systems from the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces were displayed in the static display area, and 42 of them were included in the firing demonstrations.
First conducted in 2014, the ninth edition of the Weapons Free-2023 activity took place this year on October 13th. On the distinguished observers' day, the Minister of National Defense Yaşar GÜLER, Chief of General Staff, General Metin GÜRAK, Commander of the Turkish Land Forces General Selçuk BAYRAKTAROĞLU, Commander of the Turkish Air Force General Ziya Cemal KADIOĞLU, and Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces Admiral Ercüment TATLIOĞLU followed the activity on site. At Weapons Free-2023, which involved 963 personnel from the Land, Naval, Air Forces Command, and the Special Forces Command, the SAR 762 MT-D machine gun, KN-12 sniper rifle, KARGU Rotary Wing Loitering Munition, 105 mm BORAN Light Towed Howitzer, HİSAR-A Low Altitude Air Defense System, and HİSAR-O Medium Altitude Air Defense Systems were displayed for the first time. The SAR 762 MT-D, KN-12, and Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV were used for the first time in the activity.
The Weapons Free-2023 Military Activity aims to provide deterrence by demonstrating the firepower of the Turkish Armed Forces, to introduce the weapons and systems in the inventory and showing the effect of the weapons on the target, to improve the coordination of fire support between forces, to ensure that personnel belonging to different forces and corps recognize the weapons of other forces and corps, to introduce the possibilities and capabilities of fire support vehicles to Officers, NCOs, Specialized Sergeants and Contracted Privates before they join the troops. Elements from the Land Forces Command, Naval Forces Command, Air Forces Command, and Special Forces Command joined the activity in both the static area and the execution of firing.
Among the 42 weapon systems that were used in the firing phase were weapon systems such as the Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tank, T155 FIRTINA Self-Propelled Howitzer, KARGU Rotary Wing Loitering Munition, KORKUT Low-Altitude Air Defense System, T-129 Attack/Reconnaissance Helicopter, National Infantry Rifles (MPT-55/MPT-76), UMTAS and CİRİT Integrated Tracked Armored Anti-Tank Vehicle, and F-16 Fighter Jet. Additionally, AKINCI UCAV, as well as the 7.62mm SAR MT Machine Gun and 8.59mm KN-12 Sniper Rifles, were used in the activity for the first time.
In the afternoon on the day of the activity, ahead of the firing phase, Minister of National Defense Yaşar GÜLER addressed the participants and staff of the Turkish Armed Forces. GÜLER stated, “Today, we are conducting the 9th Weapons Free Activity, which is one of the most crucial training activities of the Turkish Armed Forces. I would like to express my immense happiness and pride in witnessing the proficiency of our heroic personnel in utilizing these weapon systems that constitute the overwhelming firepower of the Turkish Armed Forces. Nowadays, multidimensional developments are emerging across various fields such as politics, the military, the economy, technology, and the social sphere worldwide. These developments lead to a wide range of instability, from regional conflicts to proxy wars and crises. Given the existing defense and security concerns in our region, the Turkish Armed Forces need to be ready for duty. Readiness requires vigilance at all times, and deterrence can only be achieved through disciplined, well-trained personnel and modern weapon systems. The essential and primary force multiplier that enables the Turkish Armed Forces to maintain their status as one of the world's most powerful armies is well-equipped and highly capable dedicated personnel. In this context, one of the key factors ensuring that personnel are trained to their fullest potential, that they can effectively operate equipment and systems, and remain consistently ready for duty is by conducting training and exercises that closely resemble real combat conditions."
The joint activity, aimed at demonstrating the firepower of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) to provide deterrence, showing the effect of their firepower on the target, and improving the coordination of inter-service fire support, was attended by 963 personnel from the different branches of the TAF and the Special Forces Command. The activity began with an announcement after Minister GÜLER took his place in the exercise area: "We dedicate the 'Weapons Free 2023' activity first and foremost to our glorious army serving in domestic and cross-border operations, to our martyrs who did not hesitate to give their blood and lives for homeland defense, and to our heroic veterans." The activity began with shots from local production national infantry rifles (MPT-55 and MPT-76) followed by the accurate shots made by snipers against small glass targets at distances of 600 meters and one kilometer. Locally produced KNT-76 and BORA-12 sniper rifles were also used in the activity. After the sniper shots with the motto "One shot, one hit," machine gun shots were performed. After the completion of the breaching task (clearing passages through mined areas by the engineer units), shooting with the SARP Remote Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) mounted on Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles and 40mm grenade launchers followed. Later, the moving tank platoon (M60T and Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks) engaged stationary and then moving targets. The precise destruction of targets with the 25mm cannons of Armored Combat Vehicles (ACV-15) was followed by anti-tank firing.
The 35mm KORKUT Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun (SPAAG) neutralized the target aircraft "Cengaver," which was simulating a drone threat. After KORKUT, the tanks used smoke grenades to move between positions and a Kornet missile was fired at a target approximately 5,000 meters away. An attack on a designated target was carried out by a KARGU Rotary Wing Loitering Munition operated by the Special Forces Command personnel. Following the engagement of target areas by different types of mortar and howitzer batteries, the activity proceeded to the firing of T-155 FIRTINA Self-Propelled Artillery (SPA). After the FIRTINA howitzers hit their targets with the "Time on Target (TOT)" method, 105 mm BORAN Light Towed Howitzers were transported to the exercise area with Sikorsky helicopters, and ammunition-filled containers were moved with CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters. After the "direct fire" on targets by Howitzers airlifted to the activity site, a "fire for effect" was executed by 12 howitzers. A target was struck precisely with a CIRIT missile shot from the KMC-tracked armored anti-tank vehicle. Following the artillery part, ATAK attack helicopters arrived in the activity area. The ATAK helicopters destroyed the designated targets with the 20mm cannon and missile fire. After the precise destruction of the targets, two F-16 aircraft from the Air Force Command arrived at the activity site. The aircraft first neutralized the targets with their 20mm M61A1 six-barrel Gatling guns, then achieved direct hits on the targets with four Precision Guidance Kits (HGK) equipped Mk-84 smart bombs dropped from 20,000 feet. The AKINCI UCAV successfully completed the given task by destroying two targets with MAM-T and MAM-L ammunition from an altitude of 23,000 feet
