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Alakran Mortar System from NTGS Combining Lightness and Stealth Targets Urban Conflicts at Sofins 2025.
At the SOFINS 2025 exhibition, the Spanish company NTGS (New Technologies Global Systems) presented the Alakran system, a lightweight vehicle-mounted mortar solution designed to provide high-mobility indirect fire support to deployable units. Considered one of the lightest in its category, the system is compatible with both 81 mm and 120 mm mortars. Its architecture allows for direct integration onto any type of vehicle without requiring structural modifications, making it particularly suitable for urban operations or light units requiring a high degree of flexibility.
The mortar system supports automated firing with re-aiming after each shot, delivering up to 12 rounds in the first minute and 4 per minute continuously, with under 2 mils precision and full azimuth and elevation coverage. (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The Alakran addresses the structural and operational challenges typically associated with vehicle-mounted mortars. By eliminating the need for a recoil absorption system, it prevents suspension overload, avoids the need for chassis reinforcement, and maintains targeting accuracy through an electromechanical aiming system. It can be installed on any vehicle with a payload capacity of two tons, including unmodified light pickup trucks, such as the one exhibited at SOFINS 2025. Its low weight also enables airlift deployment.
The system is equipped with GPS/INS-assisted targeting technology, integrating positioning sensors, meteorological data, and electronic elevation and azimuth measurement of the barrel. It is compatible with command-and-control systems such as IC-BMS and IC-FOS. Its connectivity and embedded software allow for rapid deployment: less than 30 seconds to reach firing position, under 6 seconds to re-aim after a shot, and 8 to 10 seconds to engage a new target. Disengagement can be completed in under 20 seconds, providing high tactical mobility.
Alakran is also equipped with its own fire control software capable of managing various types of smoothbore ammunition. The software displays a GIS map of the operational area along with assigned units and targets, enabling accurate ballistic calculations. It supports the use of different functions, including smoke, illumination, and high explosive rounds.
The mortar system is designed to support automated firing and automatic re-aiming after each round. It offers a precision of less than 2 mils, an azimuth firing sector of up to 2,130 mils, and elevation between 800 and 1,500 mils. It can deliver up to 12 rounds in the first minute and sustain a rate of 4 rounds per minute while maintaining the maximum range capabilities of the tube. NTGS has integrated a barrel cooling system using water mist to control barrel temperature. This system dissipates up to 1,000 kilocalories per minute, enabling up to 50 rounds to be fired at a sustained rate of 10 rounds per minute while keeping the barrel temperature below 180°C.
This system, which is discreet, easily concealable, and operable on any surface, meets the increasing demand from armed forces for mobile, precise, and quickly deployable mortar solutions, particularly in urban conflict environments. The version presented at SOFINS 2025, mounted on an unmodified white pickup truck, demonstrates the system’s low profile and adaptability.
NTGS, a Spanish company specialized in the development of innovative defense systems, positions the Alakran as a modular solution for forces seeking tactical mobility and precise indirect fire capability. Due to its compatibility with non-specialized platforms and its relatively low integration cost, the system presents a high potential for widespread adoption. This approach is likely to attract interest from both conventional armies and special operations forces operating in high-intensity or asymmetric conflict zones.