Ukraine and Turkey could start joint mass production of Ukrainian Zaslon-L active protection systems (APS) for Turkish modernized М60 main combat tanks.
Turkey’s MSI Turkish Defense Review reported that at present, Ukrainian state-owned enterprise (SOE) Spetstechnoexport and Turkey’s Aselsan are preparing for joint tests of Ukrainian Zaslon-L APS bough by Turkey in 2017, and serial production of the system in Turkey will commence following the successful completion of all tests.
MSI Turkish Defense Review reported that the testing of the first batch of Duplet explosive reactive armor (ERA) within the project is continuing. The armor will be also installed on М60 main combat tanks.
Spetstechnoexport is conducting the ERA project with ROKETSAN. Once the tests, carried out as a joint effort of the two companies, are completed successfully, talks on serial production will be launched, along with the issue of joint production.
MSI Turkish Defense Review reported that both systems are intended for use on M60 main battle tanks, although their modular and scalable universal structure allows them to be adapted to various different vehicles.
“We know that Turkey has already developed such systems in this field, however, our solution is a ready-to-use product that can be rapidly integrated onto the tanks. Turkey already has the necessary infrastructure to manufacture this highly economical product very easily,” MSI Turkish Defense Review said, citing Spetstechnoexport Director Vladyslav Belbas.
Spetstechnoexport, established as a subsidiary of state company Ukrspecexport in July 1998, has been part of Ukroboronprom state concern since 2010.
