Leading Turkish defense contractor Aselsan is set to manufacture new versions of the SARP weapon system. The company is preparing to add new products to the SARP family in the near future, said a source from Aselsan, who requested anonymity for security reasons.

Aselsan is set to finalize a smaller and lighter configuration of the system, which has been named SARP-L (Picture source: Aselsan)

SARP is a remotely-operated stabilized weapon platform for small and medium caliber machine guns and automatic grenade launchers. The platform combines high-precision reconnaissance and engagement capabilities with effective firepower while keeping the operator under armor or in a safe area away from counter fire.

The compact design of the system proves SARP a perfect match for integration onto tactical vehicles, fixed surveillance posts and towers. Stabilization, automatic target tracking and advanced ballistic computation features provide fire-on-the-move capability against stationary and moving targets.

"Through its extensive surveillance and remote-control capabilities, SARP enhances situational awareness of the gunner in his proximity while the vulnerability to attacks is decreased drastically," according to a description on the defense contractor's website.

Aselsan is set to finalize a smaller and lighter configuration of the system, which has been named SARP-L, said the source. It has been designed for low recoil weapons.

The other weapon system, Aselsan is working on, is SARP-ZAFER. This system allows troops to change ammunition without moving outside an armoured vehicle, an advantage regarding safety.

The SARP weapon system can be integrated into land and naval platforms and is used in 16 countries, said the source. So far, Aselsan has produced 1,350 SARP systems so far, of which 1,000 are used in Turkey while 350 have been exported. The production capacity amounts to 150 SARPs a month.

The weapon system has three versions: SARP-NSV equipped with a Russian-made 12.7mm NSV machine gun, SARP-Dual which can be equipped with two weapons and SARP-Anti-tank with laser-guided antitank missiles. Newly-produced SARP-L, which was produced to be equipped with the HİSAR aerial defense system, is a low weight (less than 80 kg) and remotely-operated stabilized weapon system for low recoil weapons and provides exceptional capabilities against asymmetric threats. The platform combines high-precision reconnaissance with effective firepower while keeping the operator safe under armor.

In addition, SARP remote control weapon system can be equipped with small- and medium-sized machine guns and automatic 40mm grenade launchers.