Turkey presents its new Firtina 2 155mm self-propelled howitzer
On January 23, 2021, the Turkish defense industry has unveiled the latest version of its local-made Firtina 155mm self-propelled howitzer based on tracked armored chassis. In May 2019, during the IDEF defense exhibition in Turkey, the Turkish Ministry had already presented a modernized version of the Firtina 155mm howitzer.
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The New Firtina 2 Turkish-made 155mm self-propelled howitzer mounted on tracked armored chassis. (Picture source Turkey MoD)
The T-155 Firtina is a Turkish-made 155mm self-propelled howitzer based on the South Korean K9 Thunder, featuring modifications requested by the Turkish Ministry of Defense and components developed in Turkey such as the turret design, parts of the chassis, the fire control system, the navigation system, and electronic systems. In 2001, two prototypes were ordered and the production was launched in 2002.
The Firtina 2, the upgraded previous version of the Firtina keeps the same armament that includes one 155mm 52 caliber barrel. The gun of the Firtina is compatible with standard NATO 155-mm ammunition. The Firtina is fitted with an automatic ammunition loading system and the gun can fire at a maximum rate of three rounds in 15 seconds. The new version is now fitted with a remotely operated weapon station armed with one 12.7mm heavy machine gun mounted on the roof of the turret.
The New Generation Fire Control System for T-155 Self Propelled Howitzers has been developed according to the feedback from the battlefield, taking into account the recent technological developments as well as the emerging requirements that showed up in parallel to new concepts on the battlefield.
The Firtina 2 is also equipped with new a new generation of fire control system, new air conditioning including a new heating system mounted at the front left side of the turret. The upper part of the suspension is now protected by rubber plates.
The T-155 Firtina is motorized with an MTU 881 Ka-500 water-cooled diesel developing 1,000 hp. coupled to an Allison X-1100-5 fully automatic transmission with 4 forward and 2 reverse gears. The Firtina can run at a maximum top speed of 67 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 360 km.
