According to Yusuf Çetiner in Overt Defense, the JARMOL laser system developed for the Turkish Gendarmerie General Command was showcased by Tübitak Informatics and Information Security Advanced Technologies Research Center (BİLGEM) for the first time. The Tübitak Gebze Complex’s BİLGEM High Power Laser Research Center Integration Laboratory and Test Tunnel served as the site of the system’s presentation and demonstration.
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The Tübitak BİLGEM JARMOL laser weapon system is fully integrated into the BMC Kirpi armored vehicle (Picture source: Twitter account of TRHaber Savunma)
Quoted by Yusuf Çetiner in Overt Defense, Tübitak BİLGEM President Ali Görçin made the following statements about the new laser weapon system in his speech at the event, according to the official news agency of the Republic of Turkey, Anadolu Agency (AA): “We didn’t just integrate a 5-kilowatt laser system into moving vehicle. In addition, we collaborated closely with Aselsan to demonstrate integration with the İHTAR system. we collaborated with many companies throughout the project, developing mechanical systems, optical systems, and other systems, essentially providing the best example of collaborative work in the defense industry eco-system. Our goal here is to develop deterrence technologies for close-air autonomous or remote-controlled systems, which have recently emerged and increased in usage”.
According to a 2021 activity report published by Turkey’s scientific and technological research institution (Tübitak), JARMOL is an improved version of ARMOL, Turkey’s first military-compliant laser system, which has been in the TAF inventory since June 2020, Yusuf Çetiner recalls. JARMOL is a semi-autonomous UAV defense weapon capable of automatically aiming at target positions received from radar and tracking and eliminating UAV targets up to a range of 2 km by firing its 5-kW laser produced by Tübitak BİLGEM on user command. The system, which is fully integrated into the BMC Kirpi armored vehicle, including its own energy system, makes it possible for the vehicle to carry out operations without any outside support. Apart from UAV interception, the system is capable of eliminating various threats up to a range of 5 km.
