Havelsan from Türkiye integrates swarm loitering munition launcher on Barkan 2 robotic system.

At the SAHA 2024 exhibition, the Turkish company Havelsan presented the Barkan 2, an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) equipped with autonomous features that enable it to perform tasks such as launching loitering munitions, transporting equipment and wounded personnel, destroying IEDs, conducting surveillance and reconnaissance, and performing damage assessments. The vehicle also has swarm capabilities, allowing it to operate in coordination with other autonomous systems.
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The Barkan 2 includes several autonomous navigation features, such as obstacle avoidance, dynamic route planning, autonomous patrol, and a return-to-home function in case of signal loss. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Türkiye has been recently expanding its unmanned systems capabilities across air, land, and sea platforms. In the aerial domain, beyond the well-known Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci, Türkiye recently introduced the ANKA-III stealth drone. This UAV is designed for reduced radar visibility and long-endurance missions, and it successfully completed a significant test involving gear retraction during flight. Additionally, the Akinci UCAV has integrated the new Alpagut loitering munition from Roketsan, enhancing its operational flexibility by allowing it to deploy these munitions during flight.

On the ground, Türkiye has developed a variety of unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), such as the Otokar Alpar, the Aselsan ZMA-X, and the Hidroan Azman UGV. Otokar also collaborated with Estonia's Milrem Robotics to develop new unmanned robotic vehicles. These vehicles are designed for reconnaissance, logistics, and combat roles, with ongoing efforts to increase their operational autonomy and integration with other military platforms. The focus is on modularity, enabling customization for various missions through different payloads.

In the maritime sphere, Türkiye’s ULAQ unmanned surface vessel (USV), developed by ARES Shipyard and Meteksan, is designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, and combat missions. It is capable of operating in coastal waters or open sea environments, allowing for a broad range of naval operations. These examples reflect Türkiye’s commitment to establishing itself as a leader in unmanned systems both regionally and globally.

The Barkan 2 is powered by an electric motor, offering a maximum speed of 13 km/h and a working time of more than five hours. It has a compact structure with dimensions of 180 cm by 125 cm by 100 cm and a weight of 750 kg without payload. Its payload capacity ranges from 200 to 600 kg, depending on the configuration. The UGV is capable of functioning in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 52°C. It includes several autonomous navigation features, such as obstacle avoidance, dynamic route planning, autonomous patrol, and a return-to-home function in case of signal loss.

Originally, the Barkan 2 could be armed with either a 7.62 mm machine gun or a 40 mm grenade launcher. However, this UGV is modular, enabling it to carry out specific missions such as bomb disposal, cargo transportation, and medevac operations. For bomb disposal tasks, the vehicle is equipped with a robotic arm. It also supports the integration of kamikaze drones with a flight range of up to 15 kilometers, as demonstrated at SAHA 2024. Earlier in the year, the Barkan 2 also successfully launched the Roketsan METE laser-guided mini missile system, highlighting its compatibility with different payloads.

The Barkan 2 is capable of crossing various obstacles, including barriers up to 25 cm in height and trenches as wide as 70 cm. It can handle side slopes of over 40% and steep slopes of up to 60%, as well as fording water up to 40 cm deep. Communication capabilities include a tactical data link range of 5 km in line of sight, with the option for GSM or wired communication via fiber optic cable.

The UGV's autonomous capabilities also include leader follow-up, convoy operations, and GPS standalone tasks. Its modular platform allows it to be adapted for different operational roles, such as cargo towing or armed reconnaissance, depending on mission requirements. The Barkan 2 is already in service with the Turkish Armed Forces, and its combination of autonomous functions and adaptability to different mission types makes it a flexible option for military operations.