Türkiye's Siper air defence system to get upgrade with new missiles PHOTO

Türkiye’s national Siper long-range air and missile defence system will receive new types of missiles this year, enhancing the Turkish Armed Forces’ existing arsenal.  

“The Siper is a multi-component air and missile defence system designed to provide air defence of large areas and important facilities. All components of this air defence missile system are mounted on MAN Türkiye truck chassis or on semi-trailers, which allow movement between positions. Combat operation is carried out only from the field and after a rather long preparation,” Caliber.Az reports, citing the X page of SavunmaSanayiST.

Türkiye'nin Uzun Menzilli Hava Savunma Sistemi'ne Yeni Füze Geliyor!

— Milli Uzun Menzilli Bölge Hava ve Füze Savunma Sistemi #SİPER, 100km menzilli SİPER Ürün-1 Füzesi ile bu yıl envantere girecek.

— İlk atışı başarıyla yapılan 150km menzilli SİPER Ürün-2 Füzesi'nin ardından,… pic.twitter.com/0XlEegdvQM

— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) February 27, 2024

In the late 2000s, the Turkish defence industry started developing its own anti-aircraft missile systems. To date, it has built and fielded several such models, the latest being the Siper (Zaslon) long-range air defence system.

Besides, the Siper has a standard composition of means for such systems. The overall coordination of the complex is carried out by the control centre, with which the detection and firing control radars are linked. The battery also includes several missile launchers, transport-charging machines, etc. The means of the complex are interfaced and interact using radio.

The standard Siper detection radar is equipped with an active electronically scanned array and provides airspace surveillance over a radius of more than 150-200 km. Up to 100 objects are simultaneously tracked, identified and prioritised. Data on the air situation is transmitted to the control centre, which processes it and issues commands to the launchers. The control centre has NATO-standard communications equipment, which allows it to receive target designation from any other radars and air defence systems in service with the Turkish army.

The launcher on a special four-axle chassis carries six anti-aircraft missiles in a transport and launch container. A battery can consist of four or more such vehicles, giving a ready-to-use inventory of at least 24 SAMs.

The Siper system will enter the Turkish Armed Forces this year with the Siper Block I missile with a range of 100 km and a target height of 100 m to 30 km.

The Siper Block II missile with a range of 150 kilometres and the introduction of a new active radar system, the first shot of which was successfully fired, will also be followed by the development of the Siper Block lll missile.

It is emphasised that the Block lll missile will have the capability to intercept ballistic targets.