The Turkish defense industry is making significant strides in advanced weaponry and mobility with the introduction of a groundbreaking integration: the ALKA Directed Energy Weapon System mounted on the KAPLAN Hybrid Vehicle. This innovative pairing will be unveiled at the upcoming 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025), scheduled for July 22-27 at the Istanbul Expo Center, marking a new chapter in battlefield technology.
ALKA, developed by Roketsan, represents a next-generation “laser weapon” system designed to counter a broad spectrum of asymmetric threats, including drone swarms, loitering munitions, mini and micro UAVs, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Officially launched in 2017, ALKA combines electromagnetic jamming with precision laser destruction, capable of autonomously detecting, tracking, and neutralising targets with artificial intelligence-assisted image processing. Roketsan’s Innovative Systems Program Manager Tuğrul Özdem describes ALKA as more than just a weapon—it is a scalable weapon system solution, designed to protect large strategic areas by networking multiple ALKA units for comprehensive air defense. It is currently operational as a complementary element to Israel’s Iron Dome system.
A defining feature of ALKA is its precision and silent operation. Unlike conventional weapons that risk collateral damage, ALKA’s laser-based system focuses energy with extraordinary accuracy, reducing effects to the immediate target zone only. Özdem highlighted that the system can direct laser energy with the precision of a Turkish lira coin at targets two kilometres away, even in turbulent conditions. The use of electric power ensures quiet, covert operation, making continuous real-time defence against multiple simultaneous threats feasible through near-instantaneous light-speed laser engagement.
The integration of ALKA with FNSS’s KAPLAN Hybrid Vehicle represents a forward leap in operational mobility and energy management. The KAPLAN platform, which entered service as a weapon carrier in 2019, began hybrid development in 2021 to address the need for localised transmission and enhanced battlefield flexibility. FNSS’s Defence Systems Chassis and E-Mobility Solutions Manager, Varlık Kılıç, explained that the hybrid electric powertrain employs a diesel engine paired with electric motors driving the vehicle’s tracks independently. This setup not only improves manoeuvrability, acceleration, and off-road performance but also allows the vehicle to operate silently for approximately 10 kilometres on battery power alone. This silent operational mode enables up to 24 hours of unobtrusive surveillance without noise or thermal signature, a critical capability for modern reconnaissance and combat scenarios.
The vehicle’s onboard diesel generator supplies the vast electrical power required not only for propulsion but also for high-demand systems like ALKA, eliminating the necessity for additional power sources. The KAPLAN Hybrid’s 800-volt high-voltage infrastructure supports the energy-intensive demands of directed energy weapons, ensuring sustained operation of both the vehicle and mounted systems. Kılıç noted that the electric motors provide 20-30% more torque than the conventional diesel version, with potential combat power boosts nearing 50%, offering enhanced agility under combat conditions.
The combination of ALKA and KAPLAN Hybrid addresses the evolving battlefield where threats often come in swarms from multiple directions, necessitating rapid, precise responses with minimal collateral effects. Roketsan and FNSS are positioning Turkey at the forefront of directed energy weapons and hybrid combat vehicle technology. Özdem emphasized that Turkey’s advancements are pioneering globally, not merely replicating others’ technologies but setting new standards that have drawn interest and adoption from international users.
This integrated solution reflects broader military trends prioritising silent, precise, energy-efficient, and networked defence systems tailored for multifaceted threats, particularly unmanned aerial systems. The ALKA laser weapon has demonstrated its potency in tests against drone swarms and explosive reactive armour, operating effectively at ranges of up to 1,500 metres. The hybrid vehicle’s design also anticipates future scalability, with development underway to extend similar powertrain capabilities to heavier 40-ton tracked platforms.
As Turkey prepares to showcase this innovative platform at IDEF 2025, the demonstrated synergy between Roketsan’s ALKA and FNSS’s KAPLAN hybrid system exemplifies the strategic drive to harness cutting-edge technologies in pursuit of modern battlefield dominance. It signals a future where laser weapons and hybrid electric vehicles function seamlessly together to deliver swift, silent, and highly-targeted operational capabilities.
Source: Noah Wire Services
