Türkiye's state-owned defense manufacturer MKE is expanding its artillery capabilities with the Boran and Uran howitzers, two systems designed to provide Turkish forces with greater mobility and operational flexibility on the battlefield.

During a visit to MKE Medium Calibre Weapon Factory in Çankırı, Daily Sabah spoke with Factory Manager Fatih Bulanık about the development, capabilities and testing of the two systems, as well as MKE's plans for the vehicle-mounted Uran.

Boran has already completed an extensive testing and qualification process, while Uran is undergoing its final qualification activities before being added to MKE's product portfolio

Boran brings lightweight artillery to hard-to-reach locations

Weighing 1,775 kilograms (3,913 pounds), Boran is designed to provide a level of mobility that allows it to be transported by helicopter.

"Its biggest advantage is that it is a 1,775-kilogram howitzer," Bulanık said, explaining that its weight allows the system to reach targets that cannot be accessed by conventional road transport.

According to Bulanık, only three howitzers in the world meet the same weight requirement, with Boran being one of them.

The system has undergone extensive testing during its development, including environmental tests and MIL-STD-810G testing. Bulanık said Boran successfully completed all of its tests and has become a system that meets international standards.

The Turkish Armed Forces' (TSK) adoption of the system has also been an important milestone for MKE.

Boran combines conventional artillery capabilities with modern digital fire control technology. Its onboard computer and automatic fire control system reduce the preparation time required before firing from approximately 30 minutes to one minute.

The system's digital mapping and positioning capabilities allow operators to enter target coordinates directly into the computer, eliminating the need for manual calculations before firing.

"You load the ammunition and pull the trigger," Bulanık said, highlighting the simplicity provided by the system's automated fire control capabilities.

Boran is also equipped with a muzzle velocity radar that records projectile velocity, atmospheric conditions and other relevant data. The system can also record the number of rounds fired and barrel wear, providing a detailed record of the weapon's use.

Uran takes Boran onto a 4x4 platform

MKE has built Uran by adapting the qualified Boran weapon system to a 4x4 tactical vehicle.

"We looked at how similar systems are widely used around the world and aimed to make it vehicle-mounted," Bulanık said.

Although Uran and Boran use the same weapon and fire control systems, their mobility concepts are different. Boran can be transported by helicopter because of its 1,775-kilogram weight, while Uran is designed for ground deployment using its tactical vehicle.

"Uran is designed for ground deployment and will be transported by road," he emphasized.

The development also reflects MKE's assessment of the international market and the potential demand for vehicle-mounted artillery systems.

MKE has already carried out a series of mobility and firing tests with Uran. During road testing at Karapınar, the vehicle demonstrated its ability to handle a 40% incline, overcome obstacles and cross water.

The system also performed successfully during firing tests.

MKE targets completion of Uran qualification this year

Unlike the Boran program, which involved the Presidency of Defense Industries, the Uran system has been developed entirely by MKE.

"With Uran, the entire system belongs to MKE. It is 100% ours," he elaborated.

The Boran weapon system has already completed its own qualification process, meaning the remaining work for Uran focuses primarily on the integration of the weapon with the vehicle.

"The weapon itself has already been qualified," Bulanık said. "The qualification process we need to carry out will perhaps be one quarter of the qualification process we conducted for Boran."

MKE expects the remaining qualification activities to be completed within a short period, potentially within one month, with the company targeting completion during 2026.

Bulanık said only a small number of tests remain after the basic mobility and firing trials already conducted.

"Once we complete those, Uran will be ready," he added.

With Boran offering a lightweight artillery capability that can be transported by helicopter and Uran providing a vehicle-mounted configuration with enhanced ground mobility, MKE is developing two configurations based on the same proven weapon system to meet different operational requirements.