Türkiye unveils revolutionary ALKA-KAPLAN Hybrid counter-drone system PHOTO / VIDEO

Turkish defence giants ROKETSAN and FNSS have jointly developed and integrated a cutting-edge directed-energy weapon system, ALKA, onto the hybrid tracked vehicle KAPLAN, marking a significant leap forward in mobile counter-drone capabilities.

As reported by Caliber.Az, and originally announced by SavunmaSanayiST.com on social media, the ALKA-KAPLAN system addresses the growing threat posed by mini and micro unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and loitering munitions on modern battlefields. It is designed to provide mechanised infantry units with a highly mobile solution to detect, disable, and destroy drones and other aerial threats in real time.

ALKA - KAPLAN HİBRİT Yönlendirilmiş Enerji Silah Sistem (YESS) Platformu #IDEF2025'te!#FNSS #Roketsan pic.twitter.com/NyqK1iDMeI

— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) July 20, 2025

The growing role of unmanned systems in modern combat has led to an increasing need for mobile counter-drone solutions that allow armoured units to neutralise such threats on the move. Developed within this context, the ALKA-KAPLAN system will be showcased at ROKETSAN’s booth during the IDEF 2025 exhibition.

The next-generation directed-energy system ALKA, jointly developed by ROKETSAN and FNSS, has been integrated into the KAPLAN HYBRID platform, designed by FNSS. The system is intended to counter mini and micro UAVs with fixed or rotary wings, as well as loitering munitions. Thanks to its high mobility, it stands out as a solution compatible with mechanised units.

Developed by ROKETSAN, the ALKA Directed Energy Weapon System (DEWS) is capable of neutralising threats using both electromagnetic jamming (soft kill) and laser weaponry (hard kill).

Current capabilities of the ALKA DEWS include effective detection and destruction of mini and micro drones equipped with various guidance systems, including image-based navigation and autonomous flight, as well as loitering munitions and drone swarms. The system can also be employed in tasks such as disabling improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and unexploded ordnance.

The KAPLAN HYBRID powertrain, developed by FNSS, delivers high speed, manoeuvrability, and acceleration to tracked vehicles using electric motors that generate high torque at low revolutions. The system includes two electric motors, a two-speed gearbox, and a design that independently powers the left and right tracks.

The diesel generator supplying the vehicle’s electricity was also developed and integrated by FNSS. It powers both vehicle movement and energy-intensive systems like ALKA, eliminating the need for a separate power unit.

This feature increases the vehicle’s operational range by more than 10%. The hybrid system also provides significant battlefield advantages for missions requiring silent movement and silent surveillance.

By Vugar Khalilov