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Turkish defense company FNSS will unveil new weapon configurations for its Zaha Marine Assault Vehicle (MAV) at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025, featuring advanced anti-tank capabilities designed to strengthen the amphibious vehicle's export prospects.
The amphibious armored combat vehicle, which currently serves the Turkish Armed Forces, will be showcased with two new systems from FNSS's CAKA family of remote-controlled weapon station (RCWS) systems during the July 22-27 defense fair at Istanbul Exhibition Center.
The Zaha vehicle acts as a crucial link between land and sea forces, enabling rapid and safe deployment of troops with high mobility, particularly in island environments or along difficult-to-access coastal areas.
FNSS delivered the original CAKA remote-controlled turret systems, equipped with 12.7-millimeter machine guns and 40-millimeter grenade launchers, to the Turkish Navy in 2023. The company subsequently expanded CAKA into a complete product line.
The CAKA 30/AT-O, a new family member, will be showcased alongside the Zaha vehicle in Istanbul. This configuration features a domestically produced Canik Venom LR 30-millimeter automatic cannon and two Roketsan OMTAS anti-tank missiles.
Additionally, FNSS will display its CAKA AT-K configuration, equipped with a domestically produced CANIK M2 QCB 12.7-millimeter machine gun and two of Roketsan's short-range anti-tank missile systems, Karaok.
Both CAKA systems feature lightweight designs and can be easily integrated into wheeled and tracked land vehicles, as well as manned and unmanned surface vessels, coast guard ships, and assault boats.
The new Zaha configuration will provide effective firepower against main battle tanks and other heavily armored targets, infantry positions, light armored vehicles, and drone threats when unveiled at IDEF 2025.
Serkan Balbay, director of Vetronics and Weapon Systems at FNSS, explained the strategic importance of the Zaha project to Anadolu Agency.
"The Zaha project was contracted in 2017 based on the Navy's amphibious landing needs, and deliveries began in 2023," Balbay said.
He emphasized Zaha's role as a force multiplier for naval operations: "We are proudly one of the very few producers in the world in this field. Zaha is a highly capable solution that can work together with other elements to make amphibious landings effective, capable of coastal raids, and neutralizing threats on the coast."
Balbay noted that Zaha currently entered inventory with a dual-weapon system carrying 12.7 mm and 40 mm weapons.
"Zaha's dual weapon system is highly capable of meeting the Turkish Navy's needs," he said.
"The CAKA AT anti-tank weapon system we will be showcasing can carry two anti-tank missiles along with a 30-millimeter homegrown gun with a missile guidance system, providing our naval forces with superior capabilities," he added.
The systems are completely domestically produced, including firepower, vision units, motion control systems, fire control computers, and software.
Balbay highlighted significant international interest in the Zaha vehicle, particularly from countries with extensive coastlines.
"Countries with sea borders, especially Far East countries like Indonesia, have shown considerable interest in Zaha," he said.
The introduction of the new weapon systems is expected to boost export opportunities.
"With the reveal of this weapon system, Zaha's export opportunity is strengthening, while negotiations are currently ongoing," Balbay added. "We hope to see Zaha in the inventories of foreign forces in the near future."
Balbay lastly emphasized Zaha's high personnel and weapons carrying capacity, noting that the vehicle's maritime performance has been consistently appreciated in both exercises and military training.
"In the future, additional capabilities will be added, and with the anti-tank-capable CAKA AT weapon system we mentioned, we believe it will be brought to a superior level in terms of capability," he said.
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