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Turkish defense electronics giant Aselsan signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Czech defense firm Excalibur International to establish a European Union-based joint venture and integrate the Korkut air defense system on the Tatra Force 6x6 wheeled platform.
The partnership aims to expand joint defense capabilities for European and global markets, according to a statement from CSG Group, Excalibur International's parent company.
The agreement represents a significant step toward strengthening defense cooperation not only in Central and Eastern Europe but worldwide.
The newly established joint venture will focus on technical cooperation in key areas, including air defense, electronic warfare, smart munitions and border security. As part of system localization, production is planned to be transferred to CSG facilities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
One of the first concrete outcomes of this partnership will be the integration of the Korkut Air Defense System on the Tatra Force 6x6 wheeled platform.
Designed for European customers as well as the global market, the system constitutes a fully-fledged alternative to similar European-origin air defense systems.
Compared to armored fighting vehicles, trucks are cheaper and highly abundant, giving Korkut on a truck export appeal for potential customers seeking truck-based air defense systems.
The upcoming configuration, previously spotted during IDEF 2025 at Tatra's booth, uses the third-generation Tatra Force 6x6 armored truck platform.
Excalibur International CEO Milos Sivara said the Korkut system offers a modern and highly effective air defense solution, especially against enemy unmanned aerial vehicles.
"The system uses high-precision programmable ammunition, which in practice means that the cost of neutralizing a single UAV is comparable to the cost of the UAV itself," Sivara said.
"This level of cost effectiveness cannot be achieved with conventional missile-based air defense systems," he added.
Aselsan General Manager Ahmet Akyol said the partnership with Excalibur International and CSG Group strengthens Aselsan's industrial presence in Europe and globally while offering combat-proven air defense solutions tailored to the needs of European and allied armed forces.
"The integration of the Korkut system on the Tatra platform combines advanced sensor and fire control technologies with a highly mobile and reliable vehicle, creating a flexible solution for today's dynamic battlefield environment," Akyol noted.
Korkut, in service with the Turkish Army, is a mobile air defense system armed with a pair of modified 35mm GDF autocannons and AKREP 100-G fire control radar.
The system's signature feature is the ATOM airburst ammunition, programmed at the muzzle to spread tungsten pellets, allowing a better chance of hitting and disabling targets.
Airburst ammunition has become a key area of investment for counter-unmanned aerial system efforts following rapid proliferation of UAVs in the field. With conventional ammunition, Korkut can also be utilized against ground targets thanks to its large caliber.
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Korkut has been integrated on multiple platforms: FNSS ACV AD tracked vehicle as the baseline Korkut 150/35 variant, Otokar ARMA 8x8 armored fighting vehicle as Korkut 140/35, and the UAE's Wahash 8x8 AFV as Korkut 141/35.
Additionally, Aselsan developed the Korkut SB family as a single-barrel solution for mobile use. The Korkut 120/25 SB uses a 4x4 tactical vehicle while Korkut 130/25 SB is towed, both employing the smaller 25mm cannon with ATOM 25 pre-fragmented airburst rounds.
Korkut 100/35 SB, based on a 6x6 truck, adopts an array of KALKAN 050-G AESA radars and KANGAL jammers.
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