SAHA EXPO presents newest development of Turkish defence industry PHOTO/VIDEO

The system that attracted the most attention at the SAHA EXPO 2022 Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul was the GIDS system, an Intelligent Protection System by the Turkish Gürbağ Smart Technologies military contractor.

Mertkan Achar, the deputy CEO of the company, informed TRT Haber of its features and highlighted the various possibilities that distinguish GIDS from its competitors.

He notes that GIDS consists of 4 main parts: radar/optics, an antenna communication unit, a launcher and a platform. Emphasizing that such a system had not been previously produced in the world, Achar said that Turkey could secure a very important position in this niche market.

According to him, the system detects targets using radar elements, vehicles at a distance of about 10 kilometres and live targets at a distance of 5 kilometres. After that, UAVs are released from the launchers to attack the detected target.
The most important feature of GIDS, however, is hidden in its launch system: the transmission of data about the target from radar and electro-optical payloads to the control centre.

Classic launchers, usually making use of explosives, either possess the capability of firing only one shot or require maintenance after each one. The GIDS launcher uses a hydrogen propulsion system, allowing it to be used more than once after a shot, with a much smaller impact on the munition, eliminating the risk of possible malfunctions.

The CEO further said GIDS has a 16-barrel launcher. The required hydrogen can be produced inside the cabin, achieving the ability to make an impulse every 5 seconds. This not only makes a significant contribution to security forces but also very economical.

The first ground trial rounds will be conducted this year, with the goal being its introduction into the Turkish air defence systems for the purpose of providing protection or defensive points.