Saha Expo 2026 – New munitions for MKE’s 130 mm National Chaff Launcher system

At the Istanbul exhibition MKE, historically the oldest Turkish defence industry, exhibited two new chaff ammunition for the 130 mm National Chaff Launcher system, that will improve national Navy and export customers vessels defence against incoming missiles

In 2023 MKE was asked by the Turkish Navy to provide a national solution to replace chaff munitions acquired on the international market. Turkish Navy vessels are equipped with the 130 mm National Chaff Launcher system, which is available in three different versions. Barrels are set at three different angles, 30°, 45° and 60°.

To replace imported munitions MKE developed the Balkin-S1 130 mm Chaff-S ammunition. The company was already producing the CG 17 Chaff countermeasure used on helicopters, launched from the Özişik AN/ALE-40-47 flare/chaff launcher installed on Turkish Armed Forces rotary wing aircraft. Leveraging that experience MKE developed the new surface-launched chaff ammunition; compared to the air-launched chaff, which pellets operate in the 2-20 GHz band, the new Balkin-S1 operates in the 8-18 GHz frequency band. When launched from a tube inclined at 45° it explodes after 3.6 seconds at a minimum altitude of 90 metres, generating a chaff which radar cross section has a surface of 15,000 m2 thanks to a chaff mass of 17-18 kg, the munition mass being 23 kg while its length is 1.22 metres.

All factory technical tests have been completed, the munition being currently undergoing environmental and naval platform tests. These activities should be completed soon, and MKE is already working on serial production, investments have already been made, with the aim to deliver the first production items in 2027.

The Balkin-S1 is a seduction round, as the “S” in the name indicates. This means it is launched when it is known that the fired missile is locked-on to the targeted ship. The aim of the ammunition is to “seduce” the incoming missile, generating a radar cross section similar to that of the ship, luring the enemy projectile seeker while the ship manoeuvres to get away from the point of aim. This is the reason for the very short explosion time.

EDR On-Line understood that MKE is working on a second type of ammunition, this time a distraction one, which is being used prior or when the active seeker of the missile is turned on to home on the target, distracting it from the real target generating false targets around the ship. For this reason, the Balkin-D1 Chaff-D will reach much longer distances and altitudes. MKE is currently developing the new munition, with the aim of delivering the first production items in 2028.

The development of such munitions is a further indication of the Turkish will to become more and more independent from foreign systems for its defence.

Photos by P. Valpolini