Click to see full-size image. (Aselsan)
Turkey supplied a small number of Korkut air defense systems to Ukraine earlier this year, allowing Kyiv forces to test the weapons during Russian attacks, Middle East Eye reported on October 5, citing several people familiar with the matter.
The report said the systems were used both to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses and to assess the equipment under combat conditions. Its sources did not disclose how many were delivered to Kyiv forces.
A Ukrainian official who spoke to Middle East Eye claimed that the system had performed well against Russian attacks, but admitted that there were problems.
“Korkut has been pretty much successful in countering the Russian attacks,” the official said. “There were of course some problems but nothing that couldn’t be overcome through some small adjustments.”
The official described Korkut as a battle-proven weapon and said Ukraine was interested in acquiring additional systems from Turkey.
“If the pricing is right, we would like to buy more,” the official said.
The report did not specify which version of Korkut Ukraine received. Korkut is a family of short-range air defense systems produced by Turkish defense company Aselsan, with variants using different guns and configurations, including 35 mm systems and newer 25 mm versions intended in particular for countering drones.
Aselsan chief executive Ahmet Akyol said the Korkut system was already in service in nine countries and that the company had begun exporting it after establishing its performance with the Turkish military.
“We will announce new Korkut export contracts in coming days,” he told Turkish television, according to Middle East Eye.
The reported delivery comes amid increasing signs of expanding Turkish weapons sales and defense cooperation with Ukraine.
Middle East Eye said several Turkish defense companies are working with Kyiv forces to test their weapons and improve their capabilities, while a separate deal on the transfer of American weapons through Turkey is moving forward. That package, approved by the United States in August, includes 70 M39 ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles.
Turkey has supplied Ukraine with a range of military equipment since the start of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, including Bayraktar TB2 drones, laser-guided missiles, artillery ammunition and machine guns. Still, all of these weapons were sold to Kyiv, not provided as aid, which sets Ankara apart from other NATO members.
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this is a stab on the back of russia turkey bastards should pay for this. time for russia to step up the game and destroy the deliveries, dont let it reach ukriane. and again, dont come with your article 5 bullshit, you know exactly that the day nato attacks russia is the day the entire organisation will be turned into radioactive ashes, not weeks, not months – that very same day places like nazi germany and france will be wipe off from the face of the planet for good. try and die.