09.05.2026 13:31
ROKETSAN unveiled the 'NEŞTER' technology at SAHA 2026, which will change the warfare doctrine. The basic philosophy of NEŞTER is based on a technology that eliminates the threatening mechanism without using any explosives.
The SAHA 2026 Fair, organized by SAHA Istanbul, the largest defense, aviation, and space industry cluster in Turkey and Europe, continues at the Istanbul Expo Center.
Within the scope of the fair, the panel titled "Developing Ammunition Technologies and Next-Generation Missile Systems" discussed the strategic importance of ammunition technologies and new-generation missile systems.
Speaking at the panel, ROKETSAN General Manager Murat İkinci stated that ammunition technologies are constantly changing and must adapt very quickly to all technological transformations.
NEŞTER WILL ELIMINATE THE THREAT ELEMENT WITHOUT USING EXPLOSIVES
İkinci provided information about NEŞTER, one of ROKETSAN's standout products at SAHA 2026. Noting that the system, which does not carry an explosive warhead, is developed solely to neutralize the threat element, İkinci explained that the product arose from the needs of sensitive operations.
İkinci spoke as follows:
"Our Armed Forces are very sensitive about collateral damage, so NEŞTER is a product that emerged from this idea. The basic philosophy of NEŞTER is based on a technology that eliminates the mechanism that threatens you without using any explosives. It is actually a product where the explosive on our MAM-L is removed and a different mechanism is integrated instead."
İkinci pointed out that one of the products they introduced for the first time at the fair was the Mini Cruise Missile, and it was stated that the system, defined as the "youngest sibling" of ROKETSAN's existing SOM, ATMACA, and ÇAKIR product family, was developed with a high-volume and low-cost production approach.
İkinci stated that the system will especially increase the long-range striking power of UAVs, and continued as follows:
"The Mini Cruise Missile is a smart munition that can be produced very quickly and cost-effectively, launched from our UAVs and aircraft, and provide effect up to a range of 250 kilometers. The materials we will use here can be easily obtained. They can be processed very easily. It can be produced with molds instead of CNC. It comes to us as a cruise missile product made from materials that are very easy to use, from plastic to metal and sheet metal."
Despite this, İkinci emphasized that the system does not compromise on critical capabilities found in advanced cruise missiles, saying, "We have strived to create a product that, when you look at it as a family including GPS-independent navigation units, seeker heads, effective use of explosives, maneuver capabilities, and sensors, does not lack any capabilities but provides significant cost benefits."
ELECTRONIC WARFARE RESISTANT, SUB-METER PRECISION SYSTEMS
İkinci, drawing attention to the fact that the battlefield requires not only high technology but also a combination of fast and cost-effective products, said that especially during the Karabakh War, it was understood that global positioning systems (GPS) alone are not reliable in environments where electronic warfare measures are intensely applied.
Explaining that high-tech munitions face electronic jamming in their data links, communication, and navigation systems, İkinci evaluated: "Therefore, the topics we spend the most time on are long-range systems resistant to electronic warfare measures, capable of striking with sub-meter precision at points where GPS does not work, and having deep strike capability. When you combine these with hypersonic technologies, they become the most difficult threat to stop for air defense systems."
"WE ARE CONSOLIDATING THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF OUR AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM UNDER THE STEEL DOME"
İkinci, noting that increasing the capabilities of air defense systems against evolving threats is mandatory, stated that there is a transition from classical radar and human-controlled defense scenarios to autonomous structures that react within seconds.
İkinci gave the following information regarding the change in command and control infrastructures:
"We are talking about a concept where human interaction is reduced to zero as much as possible, the final decision mechanism is left to humans, but many things such as threat assessment in between are left to artificial intelligence algorithms, and we integrate these with command and control systems and move to an integrated air defense infrastructure. This leads us to talk about a very high-level command and control infrastructure where new modern technologies are no longer standalone systems but are supported by artificial intelligence and can use data from all sensors in an integrated manner. We are consolidating the infrastructure, the backbone of our own air defense system, under the Steel Dome."
Emphasizing that the competition between offensive and defensive technologies will continue constantly and that the latest point reached in this field will never be considered sufficient, İkinci touched upon the goals for the future battlefield.
İkinci stated that high-power laser technologies and high-power microwave systems will be among the most important air defense elements in the future, saying, "We are intensely focusing on hypersonic missiles that can be controlled from outside the atmosphere and reach speeds of 10-15 Mach and above, as well as ammunition types with much deeper strike capability. Along with this, we also have very significant investments in cost-effective technologies that can neutralize these high-tech systems in the field, are fast to produce, and have multi-attack capability."
"CIVIL TECHNOLOGIES HAVE BEGUN TO DIRECT THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY"
İkinci also touched upon the effects of innovations in the civilian sector on the defense industry, stating that in the past, the defense industry triggered civilian technologies, but after the 1990s and 2000s, this situation reversed and civilian technologies began to direct defense.
İkinci, drawing attention to the rapid integration of three-dimensional printers, fast production techniques, new-generation sensors, and navigation technologies into ammunition systems, said, "Among the most disruptive technologies in recent times are artificial intelligence and quantum. We will see ammunition and defense technology where all these innovations are blended. In the following period, these leaps in the civilian field will deeply affect defense technologies."
"... he said.
HISTORIC INCREASE IN 155MM AMMUNITION ORDERS
İlhami Keleş, General Manager of the Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKE), stated that with advancing technology since World War II, countries have turned to more advanced and sophisticated systems, and noted that with the Russia-Ukraine War, there has been a return to conventional systems such as artillery ammunition and drones for the sustainability of prolonged conflicts.
Keleş highlighted that even high-cost and sophisticated systems, like those of a major power such as Russia, are depleted within two months, which has increased the need for mass production of conventional systems.
Explaining that after the Cold War, NATO countries' stock levels dropped from 45 days to as low as 12 days and that military units shrank, Keleş said that in past years, countries focused on depleting existing stocks rather than producing new ammunition.
Keleş noted that the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) has moved from a period of not ordering 155mm ammunition from MKE for 18 years to a current era where millions of units are being discussed.
Stating that new conflict environments have drastically increased the need for conventional ammunition, Keleş said, "When these operations started, MKE’s production capacity for 155mm artillery was only 4,000. Now we are talking about millions. Currently, MKE’s backlog has risen to 8.5 billion dollars."
MKE'S NEW PRODUCTION STRATEGY: ESU (EFFECTIVE, SIMPLE, AFFORDABLE)
Keleş stated that kamikaze unmanned naval vehicles (USVs) have emerged as a new generation of ammunition and have changed the balance in the Black Sea, citing Ukraine's use of low-cost vehicles to pressure the Russian fleet.
Expressing that MKE has updated its investments based on these global experiences, Keleş said, "About two years ago, we set our production policy as 'ESU' (Effective, Simple, Affordable). The need arose to take measures against the newly shaped attack and defense needs of the battlefield with these solutions, and we shaped our ammunition accordingly."
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