According to information obtained by an AA correspondent, efforts to nationalize naval artillery have recently been accelerated.
Because Türkiye met its naval gun needs from abroad, it sometimes experienced difficulties due to production processes, supply, spare parts, and operating costs. In addition, negative issues such as economic conditions and extended/delayed delivery times could arise. With Türkiye's commencement of ship exports and new national ship projects, the need for nationalization in this field has further increased.
Following directives from the Ministry of National Defence, competent and capable companies in the sector, along with the project contractor, worked intensively for 12 months. The General Directorate of Shipyards, Istanbul Shipyard, and private sector companies all participated in the project with dedication.
The 16,800 parts included in the naval gun were categorized according to their production techniques and functions. This process was guided by Istanbul Shipyard, which has many years of experience in weapon systems. Initially, separate teams worked on the production of the parts, but they came together for the integration of the project.
Private sector companies in different cities, including ERMAKSAN, İğrek Makina, ANZATSAN, as well as SAHA Istanbul and OSTİM Defense and Aerospace Cluster (OSSA) member firms, played a role in the production of all parts, from ammunition loading elevators and recoil mechanisms to drive gears, drive motors, fire control systems, and the barrel, and produced the naval gun in a short period of 12 months. For the 76/62 millimeter National Naval Gun, the project progressed from technical drawings to a firing weapon system in just 12 months.
The naval gun successfully completed a series of live-fire tests in the field following system integration completed in early November. These tests and the qualification process will continue for a while longer, after which shipboard tests will begin.
The domestically produced naval gun will now be ready to serve on domestically manufactured ships and platforms to be exported.
Source: AA
