Türkiye's leading defense manufacturer, SARSILMAZ, presented its next-generation defense solutions and integrated manufacturing capabilities, developed through domestic engineering expertise, during a comprehensive media tour of its production facilities in Düzce.
Built upon nearly 150 years of manufacturing and engineering experience, SARSILMAZ has evolved into a technology company delivering comprehensive solutions to the defense industry through its broad portfolio of firearms, ammunition, robotic platforms, remote controlled weapon systems, medium-caliber weapon solutions, precision manufacturing technologies, and advanced systems integration capabilities.
Operating from Europe's largest integrated firearms manufacturing facility, established on a 120,000-square-meter site in Düzce, SARSILMAZ exports to more than 80 countries worldwide. Supported by its high-precision manufacturing infrastructure, strong R&D capabilities, and the synergy of its group companies, the Company develops solutions that address the evolving requirements of the modern battlefield.
During the media tour held ahead of SAHA EXPO 2026, journalists were given an in-depth look at SARSILMAZ's manufacturing capabilities, engineering infrastructure, quality assurance processes, R&D centers, and systems integration expertise.
Speaking following the media tour, Murat Akalın, Deputy General Manager of SARSILMAZ and Member of the Board of BEST Defence, emphasized that success on today's battlefield is no longer defined by standalone products but by fully integrated systems capable of operating seamlessly together.
Akalın noted that the ecosystem established by SARSILMAZ and its group companies represents a powerful model that develops weapon systems, ammunition, remote controlled weapon systems, robotic platforms, and critical subsystems under a unified engineering approach.
"Today's defense requirements have gone beyond what any single well-designed product can deliver. Success on the battlefield now depends on integrated architectures in which platforms, sensors, software, ammunition, and weapon systems operate seamlessly together. This is precisely the approach we will demonstrate at SAHA EXPO 2026. Together with BEST Defence, LA2 Dynamics, TR Mekatronik, BPS, and ÜNİMETAL, we will showcase not only our products, but also our vision of an end-to-end defense ecosystem capable of delivering fully integrated solutions."
Akalın added that this approach positions SARSILMAZ beyond the role of a conventional manufacturer:
"Understanding rapidly evolving user requirements, responding to them with agility, and integrating diverse systems into a common architecture have become among the defining capabilities of the modern defense industry. At SARSILMAZ, we have built an integrated structure that successfully translates these capabilities into operational solutions."
Latif Aral Aliş, Chairman of the Board of SARSILMAZ, stated that the Company is undergoing a transformation that combines nearly 150 years of engineering and manufacturing heritage with the defense technologies of tomorrow.
Reflecting on the Company's journey since its foundation in 1880, Aliş emphasized that SARSILMAZ has evolved from a local manufacturer into a globally competitive engineering and technology company.
"Our journey, which began in Elazığ in 1880, has grown into nearly 150 years of engineering excellence, manufacturing expertise, and technological innovation. Throughout this history, we have not merely adapted to changing defense requirements; we have anticipated them, responded with technology-driven solutions, and contributed to the transformation of the defense industry itself. Today, we are among the few defense companies in the world capable of addressing virtually every requirement of a modern military through a comprehensive product portfolio, while at the same time operating as a technology-driven engineering company. From pistols and machine pistols to assault rifles, machine guns, heavy machine guns, and 20, 25 and 30 mm cannon systems, SARSILMAZ has established itself as a recognized international player in military weapons manufacturing."
Aliş underlined that SARSILMAZ has never viewed itself solely as a firearms manufacturer, but rather as a technology company shaping the future of the defense industry.
"At SARSILMAZ, we have never defined ourselves simply as a manufacturer. We have positioned ourselves as a technology company that plays an active role in Türkiye's defense transformation by developing engineering-driven solutions and contributing to the evolution of the national defense ecosystem. Today, we offer an integrated structure capable of addressing the diverse operational requirements of modern armed forces through a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected capabilities."
Recalling that SARSILMAZ currently exports to more than 80 countries, Aliş also highlighted the Company's long-term international ambitions.
"We continuously enhance our engineering expertise in line with evolving threat environments and the changing requirements of end users. While expanding our product portfolio, we are also strengthening our export capabilities, reinforcing user confidence, and increasing our international footprint. As a company with defense at its core and technology in its DNA, our objective is clear: to further elevate Turkish engineering on the global stage and strengthen Türkiye's position as a leading force in the international defense industry."
As part of the program, members of the press toured SARSILMAZ's integrated manufacturing facility in Düzce, gaining first-hand insight into the Company's research and development, production, quality assurance, and systems integration processes. Throughout the visit, SARSILMAZ's end-to-end integrated solution approach was demonstrated at every stage—from manufacturing operations to complete system architecture.
The media tour featured a range of flagship solutions representing the Company's integrated defense ecosystem, including the SAR9 SP Special pistol, SAR Drone Killer rifle, SAR 556 MT machine gun, the latest generation of SARBOT, BEST Defence's Concealable Remote Controlled Weapon System (RCWS), and TR Mekatronik's 20 mm six-barrel cannon system.
Developed by LA2 Dynamics, SARBOT is designed to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance, and high-risk armed intervention missions while minimizing risks to personnel. Positioned as Türkiye's first armed quadruped robotic platform, the latest version of SARBOT—developed entirely by Turkish engineers—is scheduled to make its world premiere at SAHA EXPO 2026.
Developed by TR Mekatronik, the joint venture between SARSILMAZ and Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ), the 20 mm six-barrel cannon system has been designed and manufactured entirely with domestic engineering capabilities, utilizing components selected to eliminate export restrictions. With a localization rate exceeding 95 percent, the system stands as a strong demonstration of TR Mekatronik's engineering expertise in medium-caliber weapon systems and will be showcased at SAHA EXPO 2026.
Developed by BEST Defence, the Concealable 7.62 mm Remote Controlled Weapon System (RCWS) has been engineered for missions requiring low observability and rapid response capability. The system also supports 5.56 mm weapon integration and offers a versatile configuration suitable for civilian vehicles as well as fixed-site security applications, where a low-profile presence helps minimize provocation while maintaining immediate operational readiness. It will be among the key solutions showcased during SAHA EXPO 2026.
Addressing one of today's most pressing battlefield challenges, the SAR Drone Killer system was also presented during the media tour. Designed to counter the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), the platform has been engineered with a robust receiver, durable operating mechanism, and mission-specific accessories to ensure exceptional reliability under demanding operational conditions. During the demonstration, the system's counter-drone capabilities were presented through a live engagement scenario.
The SAR 556 MT, developed to meet Türkiye's requirement for a domestically engineered light machine gun, was another highlight of the program. Designed for both dismounted infantry operations and platform integration, the system reflects SARSILMAZ's commitment to delivering versatile, mission-ready solutions for modern armed forces.
The SAR9 SP Special represents the most advanced member of the SAR9 pistol family, developed in close cooperation with the Turkish Special Forces Command and refined through operational feedback from end users in the field. Combining firepower, precision, durability, and operational flexibility, the platform was introduced as a high-performance sidearm engineered to meet the demanding standards of elite military units.
Through the integrated capabilities it will present together with its group companies at SAHA EXPO 2026, SARSILMAZ aims to further strengthen the international visibility of Türkiye's engineering excellence, advanced manufacturing infrastructure, and systems integration expertise, reinforcing its position as a global technology company serving the defense industry.
