The defense system, engineered entirely with domestic resources, underwent testing across seven distinct operational scenarios. It successfully neutralized a range of simulated threats, including mini/micro drones, fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), smart munitions, and cruise missiles.
The evaluation was observed by a delegation of approximately 150 officials, including representatives from the Turkish General Staff, Land Forces, Naval Forces, Gendarmerie General Command, Coast Guard Command, the Secretariat of Defence Industries (SSB), and leading defense enterprises.
Multi-Layered Air Defense Architecture
Designed under an "Effective-Simple-Low Cost" paradigm, the TOLGA system provides a modular, multi-layered defense network tailored to counter asymmetric aerial threats.
The system operates on an integrated infrastructure comprising:
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Weapon Systems: 12.7mm and 20mm vehicle-mounted (mobile) and stationary turreted platforms.
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Detection & Tracking: GÖKBÖRÜ AESA radar, acoustic detection arrays, and electro-optical sensors.
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Electronic Warfare: Electronic jamming (soft-kill) systems.
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Command & Control: Advanced automated command and control infrastructure.
Soft-Kill and Hard-Kill Capabilities
TOLGA utilizes a two-tier interception strategy. The initial defense layer employs radar, electro-optical tracking, and electronic jamming to execute soft-kill countermeasures against hostile drones at ranges of up to 10 kilometers.
If electronic countermeasures prove insufficient, the system transitions to its hard-kill layer. This phase utilizes MKE’s 12.7mm, 20mm, and 35mm weapon systems firing specialized airburst (fragmentation) anti-drone ammunition. These smart munitions detonate at optimized times and distances, creating a dense metallic fragment cloud to maximize probability of kill (PoK).
The effective engagement ranges for MKE’s proprietary airburst ammunition are classified as follows:
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35mm airburst ammunition: Up to 3,000 meters
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20mm airburst ammunition: Up to 1,000 meters
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12.7mm airburst ammunition: Up to 300 meters
Infantry Integration and Future Upgrades
The system’s versatility extends to light mobile platforms and individual infantry. MKE has integrated two PMT-76 medium machine guns onto a Mobile Vehicle Platform (MAP DUAL), configured to fire anti-drone ammunition. Furthermore, MKE has introduced a 7.62mm airburst round, enabling infantry units to engage close-range drone threats using standard-issue service rifles without requiring auxiliary platforms.
MKE disclosed plans to further augment TOLGA’s multi-layered capabilities by integrating a high-energy laser weapon system and the ENFAL-17 missile system in upcoming configurations.
Autonomous Command and Control
The system is managed via a centralized Command and Control Unit, deployable in both mobile and stationary configurations. Supporting manual, semi-autonomous, and fully autonomous operational modes, the command architecture allows remote operation and rapid adaptation to shifting battlefield dynamics.