Key SOM Aspect Highlighted at AKINCI Event in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan Unveils New Hangar for AKINCI TİHA with SOM Cruise Missile Detail
Azerbaijan celebrated the opening of a new hangar built for the AKINCI TİHA with a special ceremony today. The event also featured the continued delivery of the AKINCI Attack Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TIHA) to the country. Notably, the SOM Cruise Missile detail attracted attention at the ceremony.
The opening and delivery ceremony of the hangar was held with the participation of Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev and BAYKAR Chairman of the Board of Directors Selçuk Bayraktar.
As part of the ceremony, President Aliyev watched the flight of the AKINCI TİHA and even went to the ground control station to check the aircraft. He was also informed about various air-ground ammunition developed by the Turkish defense industry with domestic resources, including the SOM Cruise Missile.
The display of the SOM Cruise Missile was noteworthy, as Azerbaijan has been aiming to supply SOM Cruise Missiles since 2018. However, this supply was delayed due to the use of French engines in the SOM. It is expected that Turkey will make moves to pave the way for SOM Cruise Missile exports to Azerbaijan this year.
Additionally, mass production deliveries of the KTJ-3200 Turbojet Missile Engine, developed by Kale Arge with national resources, were recently made to Roketsan. Flight tests of the KTJ-3200 with both SOM and ATMACA missiles are expected to be conducted in the very near future. Following successful test firing, the SOM will be included in the Azerbaijani Air Force inventory.
The inclusion of the AKINCI TİHA in the Azerbaijani Army inventory will increase the variety of Turkish ammunition available to the country. Various ammunition such as MAM-T, ÇAKIR, and KEMANKEŞ are also expected to be supplied by Azerbaijan.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan is known to supply various electro-optical and electronic warfare systems for AKINCI TİHA and Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs. Baykar’s export successes enable different Turkish defense industry companies to obtain export input.
Overall, the partnership between Turkey and Azerbaijan in the defense industry continues to strengthen, with Azerbaijan investing in the latest Turkish defense technology.
Source: DefenseSanayiST.com
