Aselsan Tests KORKUT 35 Air Defence System Against Drones in Live Fire for 12 Countries

Aselsan has put its KORKUT 35 air defence system through live-fire demonstrations against drones and a moving ground target in front of defence delegations from 12 countries. The Turkish company said the firings tested detection, tracking and engagement in conditions meant to reflect operational use, according to The Defense Post.

The KORKUT 35 puts a 35 mm cannon on an 8×8 tactical wheeled vehicle, which lets it move with a manoeuvre force instead of guarding a fixed site. Defence Security Asia and the Turkish outlet Milliyet place the demonstration at the Karapınar range in Konya on 26 September. The company did not name the visiting countries.

What Did Aselsan Test in the KORKUT 35 Live-Fire Demonstration?

Aselsan described two scenario groups. In the air, the system engaged fixed-wing, delta-wing, and mini and micro unmanned aircraft. The company put particular weight on kamikaze drones and smaller UAVs, which it called frequently encountered threats, as reported by Defence Industry Europe.

In the second scenario the KORKUT 35 fired at a moving ground target while both the target and the vehicle were in motion. Aselsan said this showed firing accuracy and shot dispersion while mounted on the 8×8 vehicle. The company also called the system a cost-effective way to counter low-cost aerial threats and to protect manoeuvring forces and critical assets.

How Does the KORKUT 35 Work Against Drones?

Defence Security Asia describes twin 35 mm cannons with about 200 ready rounds and an engagement range of roughly 4 kilometres, firing ATOM 35 programmable airburst ammunition, and radar plus electro-optical tracking. Wikipedia describes ATOM as a round that releases tungsten pellets at a preset distance. Airburst rounds suit small, fast targets because a near-miss can still hit with fragments.

The company also lists fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, air-to-ground missiles and helicopters among the threats the system is designed for. Those are design claims. The reported demonstration covered drones and a ground target only.

KORKUT 35 Compared With the Original KORKUT

The name comes from Aselsan’s KORKUT family, which Wikipedia describes as a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun that entered Turkish service in 2016. The original is a tracked system built to escort armoured formations.

For wider background on the company and on layered counter-drone defence, see our profile of Aselsan and our guide to counter-UAV technologies.

Why Does Firing on the Move Matter for Air Defence?

This section is analysis. Small drones are cheap and can be launched in numbers, so a gun system with programmable ammunition is one way to avoid spending a costly missile on each one. A vehicle that can shoot while moving does not have to stop and set up, which is the vulnerable moment for static air defence.

Defence Security Asia notes the limits of any controlled event: a scripted firing does not show how the system copes with simultaneous attacks, electronic interference, hidden launch points or threats with no warning. Aselsan has published no such data.

Aselsan Company Profile

KORKUT 35 FAQ

What is the KORKUT 35?

An Aselsan air defence system that mounts a 35 mm cannon on an 8×8 tactical wheeled vehicle, aimed at drones and other low-altitude threats.

When and where was the demonstration held?

Defence Security Asia and Milliyet report 26 September 2026 at the Karapınar range in Konya. The Defense Post published its report on 30 September.

Which countries attended?

Delegations from 12 countries. The reports read do not name them.

What targets did it engage?

Fixed-wing, delta-wing and mini or micro drones, plus a moving ground target while the vehicle was also moving.

Were results published?

No hit rates or engagement counts appear in the reports.