Latest news with #TurkishArmedForces
Egypt Today
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
Egypt's Chief of Staff returns after visit to Ankara on military partnership, weaponry
CAIRO - 12 May 2025: Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Ahmed Khalifa returned to Egypt on Sunday after discussing military partnership and reviewing Turkish weaponry in a visit to Ankara. Khalifa met with his Turkish counterpart Lieutenant General Metin Gurak, Chief of the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces on the sidelines of the fourth meeting of the Egyptian-Turkish Military Committee to enhance military cooperation between the two countries. The meeting discussed ways to enhance military cooperation in the fields of training and the transfer and exchange of expertise between the Egyptian and Turkish armed forces. The two Chiefs of Staff affirmed their aspiration to expand the horizons of military partnership and cooperation between the two countries in various fields during the coming period. Khalifa also met with Yasar Guler, Turkish Minister of Defense, who praised Egypt's active role in its international and regional environment, stressing joint action to confront current challenges and achieve stability in the region. Khalifa then met with the chairman of the Turkish Defense Industries Authority to discuss ways of joint cooperation. This was followed by a visit to a number of defense industry companies, where he heard a presentation on the advanced manufacturing capabilities of these companies, enhancing opportunities for exchanging expertise in the field of military manufacturing to the benefit of both friendly countries. He also toured the Turkish Special Forces Command, where he observed the implementation of a number of practical demonstrations and training activities by the Turkish Special Forces.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
From offering drones to solidarity: Turkey's hand in Pakistan's attacks
A preliminary probe into the debris after Pakistan's attempt to breach the northern and western fronts Thursday night suggests that the drones used by Pakistan are of Turkish origin, the Songar armed drone system, the government said Friday. Briefing reporters, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Col Sofiya Qureshi said that along the international border and Line of Control, drone intrusions were attempted from Siachen to Sir Creek at 36 locations with approximately 300-400 drones. Forensic examination of the drone debris is being undertaken. Preliminary reports suggest they are Asisguard's Songar drone from Turkey. Songar is an armed drone system designed and manufactured by Asisguard, part of Asis Electronics and Information Systems, to serve as a force-multiplier for low-intensity conflicts. It is the first domestic armed drone system to be operated by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). It is Turkey's first indigenous drone armed with a machine gun. India naming Turkey's drones is significant, since Pakistan is understood to have a strong arsenal of Chinese defence equipment as well. The fact that Pakistan has these drones is part of its deep and robust defence cooperation with Turkey. Indeed, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone on May 7 with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to convey his solidarity after India hit nine terror sites in Pakistan and PoK. During the call, Erdogan had told Sharif that Turkey supported what he called Pakistan's 'calm and restrained policies' in the crisis, his office said in a statement. Erdogan also said he found 'appropriate' Islamabad's call for an investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack. India had rejected that call for an international probe. Incidentally, Sharif was in Turkey when the Pahalgam terror attack happened on April 22. He met Erdogan at that time and discussed defence cooperation. The defence partnership between Turkey and Pakistan has deepened in recent years through institutional mechanisms and increasing joint exercises. Major defence deals with technology transfer provisions have bolstered Pakistan's capabilities. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has been receiving the delivery F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) in Ankara. Pakistan's National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP), inaugurated in August 2023, has entered into a collaboration agreement with Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar for research and development. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)'s Trade Register, Pakistan ordered three Bayraktar TB-2 armed UAV from Turkey in 2021 and received them in 2022. In Songar's case, according to the company's website, 'the aerial drone has a width of 145 cm from rotor to rotor and height of 70 cm. It has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 45 kg. The portable unmanned aerial system (UAS) can be easily deployed by infantry units and small security elements. It is capable of conducting operations during day and night.' It said that the drone system's machine gun can fire NATO class 5.56x45mm rounds. It has a maximum ammunition load capacity of 200 rounds and can also support single and 15-round burst modes. The armed drone is offered with various sub systems including a multi-rotor drone platform, gun stabilization system, drone mounted machine gun, and a ground control station. The Songar drone system is installed with two cameras, including a pilot camera with 10x zoom and a gun-mounted camera. The cameras are capable of transmitting video and real-time images. The night sensors allow the drone to perform operations within a range of 10 km. The camera systems are capable of performing real-time video transfer as well as video and data recording for post-mission analysis. The armed drone uses both GPS and GLONASS navigation systems for communications during operations, the company's website said. It also said the maximum operational range of the unmanned vehicle is 3 km. It can hit targets within a 15-cm area from a distance of 200 m. The drone can ascend to an altitude of up to 2,800 m at mean sea level and 400 m above ground level.
India.com
09-05-2025
- India.com
All about Turkish Songar drones used by Pakistan to attack India, It is designed for both..., can fly up to 3000 meters, has ability to...
India has said that the drones used by Pakistan in its failed attempt to target 36 military and civilian sites between the night of May 8 and the morning of May 9 were likely Turkish-made Songar models. During a press briefing on Friday, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh shared that early investigations into the drone wreckage pointed to the use of Songar drones, built by Turkey's defence company Asisguard. A detailed forensic analysis is currently underway. The Songar drone is Turkey's first locally developed armed drone. It was unveiled in April 2019 and officially entered service with the Turkish Armed Forces in early 2020 after extensive trials. Weighing up to 45 kilograms at takeoff, the drone can operate for around 35 minutes when not carrying weapons. It can fly up to 3,000 meters above sea level and about 300 meters above the ground. With a 5-kilometer operational range, Songar drones are designed for both day and night missions. One of the key features of the drone is its ability to live-stream footage to ground operators. It is equipped with both a surveillance camera and a gun-mounted camera, allowing it to track targets and potentially engage them during flight. The Songar supports both manual and autonomous flight modes and has a built-in safety system that sends it back to its launch point if communication with the controller is lost. It relies on GPS and Russia's GLONASS for navigation. Songar Drones: Weapons and capabilities explained The Songar drone system, developed by Turkey's Asisguard, comes in several versions depending on the kind of weapon it carries. According to the company's official website, there are five main models: Assault Rifle Variant (5.56×45 mm) Twin Grenade Launcher (2×40 mm) Drum Grenade Launcher (6×40 mm) Mortar Gripper (3×81 mm) Tear/Smoke Grenade Launcher (8× grenades) All versions are equipped with strict safety protocols that prevent them from firing until the operator gives the go-ahead. The assault rifle version uses standard NATO 5.56×45 mm bullets and includes a recoil-absorbing system that helps keep the drone stable while shooting. The basic grenade launcher model can shoot two grenades up to 400–450 meters. For higher volume attacks, there's the drum version that fires six grenades at the same range. Meanwhile, the tear gas or smoke version can launch eight grenades, which descend in a controlled way to ensure accurate targeting. These are designed more for crowd control or disruption rather than lethal impact. How Songar drones are used in battle These drones are built to work alongside troops or other drones in coordinated missions. They're useful in many kinds of operations on land, at sea, or during special missions where stealth is key. Thanks to their small size and quiet operation, Songar drones can be used to surprise the enemy without revealing where they're coming from. Apart from attacking, they also act as scouts, sending live video feeds back to commanders to help track enemy movements and plan tactics in real time.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Indian Express
What are Turkish Songar drones, used by Pak to attack India?
Pakistan's attempted drone incursion in 36 military and civilian sites between the intervening night of Thursday (May 8) and Friday (May 9) likely involved Turkish-made Asisguard Songar drones, India said on Friday. In a press briefing, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh said, 'A forensic examination of the drone debris is currently underway. Preliminary reports indicate that the drones are Turkish-made Asisguard Songar models.' Designed and manufactured by Turkey-based defence company Asisguard, Songar drones were first launched in April 2019, and delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) after successful completion of their testing in February 2020. They are Turkey's first indigenous armed drones. Design and features The drone has a width of 140 cm from rotor to rotor, and a maximum take-off weight of 45 kg. It has the ability to perform 35 minutes of duty without a payload. The portable unmanned aerial system (UAS) broadcasts real-time video, and operates within a radius of up to 5 km. It can ascend to an altitude of up to 3,000 m above mean sea level and 300 m above ground level. The drone can be used for both day and night military operations. Songar consists of a pilot camera for surveillance and exploration purposes, and a gun-mounted camera. The drone comes with autonomous and manual flight control modes. It also comprises features such as returning home in case there is a loss of connection between the drone and its remote controller. Songar drones use both Global Positioning System (GPS) and GLONASS navigation systems for communications during operations. The armaments There are different types of Songar drone systems based on the weapons they feature. The website of Asisguard lists five types of Songar drones: Songar 5.56 x 45 mm Assault Rifle, Songar 2×40 mm Grenade Launcher, Songar 6×40 mm Drum Type Grenade Launcher, Songar 3×81 mm Mortar Gripper, Songar 8 x Tear/Smoke Grenade Launcher. Each one of them comes with multi-layered firing safety measures until the operator's authorisation is received. Songar's assault rifle carries 5.56×45 mm cartridges, the standard cartridge used by guns made for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) militaries. It comes with a recoil force-damping mechanism which reduces the impact of recoil on the drone. The grenade launcher type Songar can fire up to two grenades within the range of 400-450 metres. For firing more grenades, there is the Drum Type Grenade Launcher which can launch up to six grenades within the same range as the Songar 2×40 mm Grenade Launcher. The tear or smoke grenade launcher can fire up to 8 grenades, and 'executes direct impact on target through controlled free-fall deployment (controlled descent through the air),' according to Asisguard. Performance Songar drones are designed for coordinated attacks with other military assets, such as troops or other drones. It also offers versatility during land, maritime and special operations. The UAS can be deployed stealthily, allowing forces to launch a surprise attack without revealing their location or presence. The drones can be used for reconnaissance and surveillance, providing real-time intelligence on enemy movements.
News18
09-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
No 'Thanksgiving' For Operation Dost As Turkey's Drones Join Pakistan's Flock Against India
Last Updated: On Friday, New Delhi found that it was Turkish-made drones, nearly 300-400 in number, that were fired by Pakistan at 36 locations in India across the western border When Turkey was hit by a devastating earthquake in 2023, India started Operation Dost to become the first country to come to Ankara's assistance. Along with NDRF and aid, India sent Garuda Aerospace drones to help those trapped in the rubble and modified Kisan drones to carry medication and food. But in a rude discovery on Friday, New Delhi found that it was Turkish-made drones, nearly 300-400 in number, that were fired by Pakistan at 36 locations in India across the western border, from Leh to Sir Creek. Officials said the debris recovered by India showed that these were SONGAR ASISGUARD drones of Turkey. This is the first national armed drone that has been used by the Turkish Armed Forces. This now raises the speculation that it was these drones that were supplied by Turkey to Pakistan when the C-130E Hercules plane had landed in Karachi on April 28, less than a week after the Pahalgam terrorist attack. On April 30, a high-ranking Turkish military and intelligence delegation, headed by Lt Gen Yasar Kadioglu, visited the Pakistan Air Force headquarters in Islamabad and met the Pakistani air chief. Government sources say all these developments show that it is time for India to corner Turkey diplomatically, strategically, and globally, given it is now clear which camp Ankara stands in. Even in its stance and statements after the Pahalgam terror strike, the Turkish government under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken a full pro-Pakistan line, officials point out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Erdogan have rarely met, last on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi in 2023. But it seems India, and Indians, will now have to change their approach to Turkey, which stands clearly in the Pakistan camp. First Published: May 09, 2025, 19:58 IST
