Turkish armored vehicle manufacturer Nurol Makina has completed a new configuration of its Ejder Yalçın 4×4 tactical wheeled armored vehicle (TWAV). The vehicle is now able to fire mortars with an integrated new Alkar 120mm Mortar Weapon System. The Alkar 120mm Mortar Weapon System and subsystems used in the retrofit were also developed domestically by the Turkish defense company Aselsan. It is integrated on a turret equipped with an automatic barrel laying system, an automatic ammunition loading system, a recoil mechanism and a fire control system. The Ejder Yalçın tactical wheeled armored vehicle completed its qualification tests as a mortar vehicle using the new configuration.
The Alkar 120 mm Mortar Weapon System and subsystems used in the retrofit were also developed domestically by leading Turkish defense company Aselsan. It is a modern weapon system integrated on a turret equipped with an Automatic Barrel Laying System, an Automatic Ammunition Loading System, a Recoil Mechanism and Fire Control Systems. The Ejder Yalçın’s configuration can provide fire support for commando, infantry and motorized and mechanized infantry units in conventional and asymmetrical war environments. It includes a 120-mm mortar gun, semiautomatic ammunition loading system, ammunition storage system and fire control system.
Ejder (Turkish:”Dragon”) is a family of armoured vehicles produced by Turkish company Nurol Makina. It consist of two version which is 4×4 and 6×6. Mass production of the vehicle began in May 2014. It features a V-shaped hull design, integrating floating floor plates and blast mitigation seating to provide protection against mines and IED’s. It can accommodate up to 11 personnel and can carry a payload of up to 4 tons. The vehicle is equipped with optionally integrated, remote-controlled and manually-operated weapon stations. The optional armament mounted on the vehicle includes 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns, a 25mm anti-aircraft gun and a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.
The Ejder Yalçın is available in different configurations with which the new vehicle can jointly operate. : air defense vehicle, command-control vehicle, combat vehicle, personnel carrier, mine/improvised explosive device (IED) detection-destruction vehicle, ambulance, radar vehicle, jammer (signal interceptor) vehicle, anti-tank guided missile vehicle launcher, surveillance and security vehicle, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defense vehicle. Nurol Makina’s armored vehicle family consists of the Ejder Toma, the Ejder Yalçın, the Ejder Kunter, the Ilgaz and the Yörük. Late in 2020, five Turkish defense companies signed a $150 million export agreement with Tunisia.
