05.02.2025 18:11
The activities for the distinguished observer day of the Winter Exercise-2025 organized by the Turkish Armed Forces in Kars have begun. The Aselsan ZMA-X armored combat vehicle, which has been converted from the modernized ZMA-15 of the Turkish Land Forces into an unmanned system, gaining remote control and autonomous movement capabilities, also participated in the exercise for the first time.
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The "Winter Exercise-2025" has begun with the distinguished observer day, conducted by the 14th Mechanized Infantry Brigade Command under the control and management of the 3rd Army Command and the command of the 9th Corps Command, at the Şehit İstihkam Astsubay Kıdemli Üstçavuş İlhan Hamlı Shooting and Exercise Area in Kars.
12,199 PERSONNEL FROM 20 COUNTRIES
The Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff, the Land Forces Command, the Naval Forces Command, the Air Forces Command, and the Special Forces Command, along with civil public institutions and organizations, participated in the exercise with a total of 12,199 personnel from Turkey, the USA, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, the UK, Bosnia and Herzegovina, France, Georgia, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Libya, Niger, Tajikistan, and Jordan. Throughout the exercise, training and activities were conducted on key issues such as mortar fire, search and rescue, cooperation and coordination in joint operations, testing the combat skills of the units, fire synchronization, maneuvering, clothing, and support.
COMMANDOS SPENT THE NIGHT IN IGLOOS THEY BUILT
During the press briefing held at the Şehit İstihkam Astsubay Kıdemli Üstçavuş İlhan Hamlı Shooting and Exercise Area, Colonel Serdar Başer, the General Secretary of the 3rd Army Command, provided information about the exercise. After the briefing, the commando oath was read by the Commando Corps equipped for winter, and the equipment used was introduced. Additionally, the Natural Disasters Search and Rescue Battalion and the unit participating from Azerbaijan provided information about the equipment they used. Subsequently, the commandos spent the night in positions they built, such as igloos, snow pits, snow houses, snow caves, sloped shelters, and foxholes, showcasing their areas where they conducted sheltering, eating and drinking, and equipment maintenance in freezing cold conditions.
ENEMY TARGET INFILTRATION OPERATION
A team composed of special forces from the participating countries conducted an infiltration operation to a designated enemy target as part of the scenario. Special forces, descending onto enemy targets by helicopter as per the scenario, successfully completed their operations by destroying caves. The special forces team was supported by Atak helicopters.
ZMA-X ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE EXERCISE
The Aselsan ZMA-X armored combat vehicle, which has been modernized from the Turkish Land Forces' ZMA-15 and converted into an unmanned system with remote control and autonomous movement capabilities, also participated in the Winter Exercise for the first time. The activity aims to ensure cooperation and coordination in the execution of joint and combined operations, test combat capabilities and capabilities, including firing, in deep snow and severe cold, visualize the battlefield in all its dimensions, improve the synchronization of firing and maneuvering, enhance training levels in field establishment, sheltering, supply, and maintenance activities in winter conditions, and ensure the operation of command and control systems in winter conditions. The distinguished observer day of the exercise will continue with the firing of F-16 fighter jets.
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