Turkish defense firm equips drone with grenade thrower

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - In a significant upgrade, Turkish defense firm Asisguard has equipped its new mini-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with 40-milimeter grenade thrower.

After attaching a 5.56-milimeter gun, the firm took the drone, called Songar, a step further, Baris Duzgun, the firm’s general manager told Anadolu Agency during the SAHA Expo, a major defense event in the Turkish metropolis Istanbul.

After opening its doors on Wednesday, the four-day event is showcasing Turkey's defense products including UAVs, weapons, radar systems, and land and naval vehicles.

There are also panels on various topics such as the space program, defense industry cooperation, and engine development.

Duzgun said his firm aims to provide a single type of drone with various payloads instead of designing different drone types.

For next steps, he said the firm plan to equip the drone with smoke bombs so it can help stop riots.

Work to equip the drone with a high-power laser system is ongoing, and during the expo a protocol will be signed by Asisguard, Turkish defense firm Havelsan, and the Informatics and Information Security Research Center of the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK BILGEM), he told Anadolu Agency.

In addition, work on a missile option is proceeding rapidly, he added.

“R&D is like planting seeds, you have to continue for a long time,” he stressed.

On exports, he said the drone has been exported to two countries so far and that talks with three countries came to the signing phase.

He stressed that the firm first tries new payloads in Turkey and then offers them to other countries.

In recent years, Turkey has become a rising star in the global defense and aviation industry.

Especially in aviation and UAVs, Turkey has several companies and brands such as Baykar and TAI which produce aerial vehicles using mostly local resources.