Turkish Yavuz 155mm howitzer fires 3 rounds in 15 seconds with 40-kilometer strike capability.

At the SAHA 2024 exhibition, Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE), a Turkish manufacturer known for producing the T-155 Firtina, showcased another 155mm self-propelled howitzer named Yavuz. Mounted on a 6x6 truck chassis, the Yavuz system was first unveiled at IDEF 2017 by MKE’s General Manager, Ahmet Taşkın, alongside military and defense officials. The initial test firing of the Yavuz took place on April 18, 2017, in Konya, where it demonstrated the capability to hit targets at distances of up to 40 kilometers.
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The Yavuz can fire a variety of ammunition types, including the M107 high-explosive round, which has a range of 18 kilometers, the M549A1 high-explosive round with a range of 30 kilometers, and the MOD 274 round, which extends the range to 40 kilometers. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Like the French CAESAR, the Turkish Yavuz uses a 6x6 truck chassis to reduce the risk of counter-fire, as it can operate at a longer distance from the enemy while firing long-range ammunition. Powered by a Euro 5 diesel engine, this Turkish self-propelled howitzer is capable of reaching a maximum on-road speed of 90 km/h. It has a combat weight of 32 tons and dimensions of 10.8 meters in length, 2.6 meters in width, and 4.1 meters in height. Additionally, it can ford water up to 1 meter deep, cross trenches of 0.45 meters, and climb gradients of 0.45 meters.

Its 155mm/52 caliber gun provides flexibility in engaging targets at varying distances, thanks to a semi-automatic, electrically driven loading system that is controlled electronically. The system can fire a variety of ammunition types, including the M107 high-explosive round, which has a range of 18 kilometers, the M549A1 high-explosive round with a range of 30 kilometers, and the MOD 274 round, which extends the range to 40 kilometers.

The Yavuz can fire all standard 155mm ammunition in NATO inventories and is capable of burst-firing 3 rounds in 15 seconds, firing 4 to 6 rounds per minute under normal conditions, and 2 rounds per minute in continuous operations. With a total ammunition capacity of 18 rounds, the Yavuz features the ability to hit the same target with different rounds by utilizing various elevation angles and propellant charge modules.

The Yavuz can be made ready to fire in one minute and can move after firing within two minutes. The vehicle has dual cabins with space for a crew of five. It also features a 12.7mm machine gun as secondary armament, along with Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) protection systems and anti-personnel mine protection capabilities.

In January 2022, it was reported that Brazil had initiated a program to acquire 36 wheeled self-propelled howitzers for use in its Artillery Division and Mechanized Brigade companies. By August 2023, reports indicated that Türkiye's Yavuz howitzer entered the competition for this acquisition. Brazil is seeking a mobile artillery system capable of striking targets up to 40 kilometers away. At that time, the Yavuz was competing with systems such as France’s CAESAR 155mm howitzer and Israel’s ATMOS 2000.

The Yavuz has a combat weight of 32 tons and dimensions of 10.8 meters in length, 2.6 meters in width, and 4.1 meters in height. (Picture source: MKE)