MKE Yavuz is a truck-mounted solution for the Panter howitzer with the chassis being a 6×6 truck MKEK has specifically developed for the project. The T-155 155mm Panter (Panther) towed howitzer is a completely Turkish designed and manufactured 155 mm 52 caliber with 40 km Range howitzer that can be towed or can be self propelled. The Panter towed howitzer was developed in the 1990s to meet operational requirements of the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC). Following trials and modifications of prototype systems, the first production order was placed.
The truck is powered by a 440hp EURO 5 motor, giving it a 600k range and 90km/h max speed, and features an armoured cabin that can accommodate five crew along with a 12.7mm weapon station. The first batch of six 155 mm/52 calibre Panter systems were completed in mid-2002, built at the Cankiri facilities of MKEK CANSAS. Electronics specialist Aselsan has teamed with the country’s General Directorate of Military Factories (AFGM) to integrate the Turkish ‘Panter’ 155mm 52 cal gun – a towed system – onto the chassis of a BMC-manufactured 6×6 10 ton truck.This configuration – called Kamyona Monteli Obus (KMO) – integrates a truck and gun system that are both already in Turkish service, which is seen as a cost-effective way of increasing the army’s SPH capability without developing or buying new equipment.
