The competence of the Turkish defense industry in unmanned systems has been certified in one of NATO's largest exercises. Within the scope of the Steadfast Dart 26 exercise ongoing in Germany, the ASLAN Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) developed by ASELSAN was put under the spotlight by the Allied Joint Force Command (JFCBS). Highlighting ASLAN's critical importance in the field in its report, NATO drew attention to how Turkish technology enhances the safety of soldiers.
The Turkish Armed Forces are shaping NATO doctrines not only with their air and naval elements but also with their robotic solutions in land systems. The Steadfast Dart 26 exercise, conducted in Bergen, northern Germany, turned into a testing ground for innovative technologies. One of the stars of the exercise was ASELSAN ASLAN, used by the Turkish 66th Mechanised Brigade.
3 Years in the Field, Now in NATO Test
The report published by NATO Allied Joint Force Command (Brunssum) stated that the Turkish unit has been actively using the ASLAN UGV for 3 years. Taking part in land activities and demonstrations during the exercise, ASLAN proved that it is not just a prototype but an operational system that has proven its mettle in the field.
While NATO officials described ASLAN's presence in the field as of critical importance, they emphasized that the system allows soldiers to perform duties without entering high-risk zones.
Technical Power: Quiet, Modular, and Lethal
Developed by ASELSAN as a reconnaissance, surveillance, and remote-controlled weapon platform, ASLAN performed above NATO standards with its technical features.
Technical details highlighted in the NATO report include:
- Modular Architecture: Different payloads (cameras, weapons, sensors) can be mounted according to mission needs.
- Advanced Sensors: It can perform reconnaissance day and night thanks to electro-optical sensors and thermal cameras.
- Weapon System: Equipped with remote-controlled stabilized weapon systems, it can provide fire support against threats.
- Autonomy: It can be controlled remotely and also possesses semi-autonomous driving capabilities.
Risk Reduced with the Silent Sentry
In NATO's assessment, ASLAN's greatest strength was defined as its quiet mobility and low silhouette. These features allow ASLAN to infiltrate enemy lines without being noticed in urban combat areas or high-threat zones.
The report included the statement, "ASLAN represents a modern unmanned ground system that delivers flexibility, operational persistence, and risk reduction on the battlefield." Thanks to this system, Turkish soldiers maximize their own safety by pushing ASLAN forward while conducting reconnaissance in the most dangerous areas or staying on the firing line.
NATO: UGVs Save Lives
In its general assessment through ASLAN, the NATO Media Centre drew attention to the point Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) have reached today from primitive trials in World War I. The report stated, "Today technology has advanced to the point where UGVs are being used for delivering supplies, evacuating wounded personnel even launching attacks using heavy machine guns or anti-tank weapons. Most importantly UGVs are increasing saving lives by performing dangerous high-risk tasks in the field of military operations."
This success of ASELSAN ASLAN shows that the Turkish defense industry develops reference products for NATO allies not only in UAVs but also in the field of UGVs.
