Türkiye develops new 8x8 air defense system to compete with German Boxer Skyranger 35.

On December 6, 2024, the Turkish company Aselsan unveiled the Kalkan-050G, a new multifunctional air defense radar equipped with a two-axis AESA antenna operating in the S-band and offering a range of 25 km. Designed to detect aerial targets and ballistic munitions, it marks a step forward in close and medium-range air defense systems. Notably, brochure imagery introduces a new 8x8 air defense system, suggesting an evolution beyond initial expectations for a Korkut-2, possibly a competitor to the German Boxer Skyranger 35.
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Aselsan unveiled the concept of a new 8x8 air defense system, potentially armed with a 35mm autocannon and two missile launchers, making it a possible competitor of the German Boxer Skyranger 30 and Skyranger 35 systems. (Picture source: Aselsan)

Aselsan appears to have specifically developed the Kalkan-050G for this new 8x8 air defense system. The Kalkan-050G is a multifunctional air defense radar equipped with a two-axis Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) antenna operating in the S-band. It has a detection range of 25 kilometers and is designed to identify and track aerial targets, including fighter jets, helicopters, UAVs, and ballistic munitions. The radar features high-resolution target acquisition, automatic classification, and multi-target tracking. It integrates with Aselsan systems such as the AKREP 100-G and is compatible with next-generation armored platforms and layered air defense networks.

Imagery in the Kalkan-050G brochure introduces a new wheeled air defense system, distinct from the earlier Korkut self-propelled anti-aircraft gun system. Unlike the Korkut’s twin-barrel configuration, the new platform uses a single-barrel system. Its design resembles the German Skyranger system and may include MKE’s 35 mm Revolver cannon, currently under development. Expected modifications, such as updates to the KDC-002 turret and weapon systems, suggest performance improvements and efforts to address previous limitations.

The platform, informally referred to as a "Turkish Skyranger," is identified as an evolution of the earlier Korkut air defense system. It could incorporate a 3D AESA radar for target acquisition, two banks of four smoke grenade launchers for defensive measures, and modular weapon configurations. The system also highlights the potential integration of MKE’s 35 mm Revolver cannon. These updates reflect Türkiye's active development of new air defense systems to enhance national security and achieve self-reliance in defense technology. This effort is driven by the need to protect airspace from various aerial threats, including missiles, drones, and advanced aircraft, while reducing dependence on foreign defense systems. The development of indigenous air defense capabilities aims to address emerging security challenges and strengthen Türkiye's strategic autonomy.

Concrete examples of these developments include the Hisar-A and Hisar-O missile systems, which provide low and medium-altitude air defense against threats such as helicopters, fighter jets, and unmanned aerial vehicles. Additionally, Türkiye is working on the Siper long-range air defense system, designed to counter higher-altitude threats and enhance the country's layered air defense strategy. These systems reflect Türkiye's commitment to developing indigenous solutions to meet modern defense requirements.

The Korkut system, initially designed for low-altitude air defense, features twin 35 mm cannons with a combined rate of fire of 1,100 rounds per minute and an effective range of 4,000 meters. Mounted on an ACV-30 tracked vehicle, the system offers amphibious capabilities suitable for various terrains. In response to challenges such as high-speed targets and large-scale drone swarms, Aselsan has developed the Korkut 110/35S, a single-barrel 35 mm variant optimized for very low-altitude air and ground defense. Key additions include FPV jamming capabilities, Very Short Range Air Defense (VSHORAD) missiles, and an automatic linkless ammunition feed mechanism that enables switching between ammunition types within 15 seconds. The stabilized turret supports accurate firing while on the move, and fire control radars with electro-optical sensors provide automatic target tracking.

The Boxer Skyranger 35, developed by Rheinmetall, is a comparable short-range air defense system mounted on an 8×8 wheeled Boxer armored vehicle. It is equipped with a 35 mm revolver cannon that can fire up to 1,000 rounds per minute with an effective range of 4,000 meters. The system uses AHEAD airburst ammunition for improved effectiveness against drones and aerial targets. The Boxer Skyranger’s wheeled platform emphasizes on-road mobility, whereas the Korkut’s tracked chassis offers amphibious capabilities and superior off-road performance, although there is also a wheeled version. The Skyranger’s modular design also allows for future integration of guided missiles and high-energy lasers.

The advancements reflected in the Kalkan-050G radar and the "Turkish Skyranger" indicate efforts to adapt existing air defense systems to modern battlefield requirements. Key updates, including FPV jamming capabilities, VSHORAD missiles, and 3D AESA radar integration, provide increased versatility against loitering munitions, drones, and other aerial threats. These updates, combined with weapon system adjustments such as the integration of the MKE Revolver cannon, align with ongoing trends toward more adaptable and modular air defense solutions.