Turkey’s defense industry is the strongest in the Middle East, fueling Turkish leaders’ push to achieve the regional dominance once held by the Ottoman Empire.
TOLUN is a Turkish-developed precision weapon. One variant, the TOLUN IIR, uses an imaging infrared seeker. These munitions are fired from the high-end Turkish unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), known as the Akinci, developed by Turkish defense firm Bayraktar. The Akinci has recently conducted live-fire tests with the TOLUN developed by another major Turkish defense firm, ASELSAN.
During a September 17, 2024, test, the Akinci reportedly fired the TOLUN IIR from an altitude of around 22,000 feet at a range of around 20 kilometers, hitting an armored personnel carrier (APC) target. Earlier tests from August of last year show the TOLUN being dropped and striking floating/sea targets.
According to ASELSAN, the TOLUN is a “GPS/INS guided munition” that can engage both soft and hardened targets, and one variant uses deployable wings to gliding capability.
Don’t Underestimate Turkey!
This marks a further step in Turkey’s push to develop domestic munitions and UCAV weapon-integration capabilities. The combination of the Akinci UCAV along with the TOLUN gives Turkey a serious standoff strike capability over its neighbors, such as longtime rival (and fellow NATO member) Greece.
Because the TOLUN utilizes IIR guidance and bidirectional datalinks, the weapon can adapt to target conditions or allow operator updates and even override in more challenging environments. What’s more, the capability to carry and launch such weapons opens additional mission profiles for the Akinci beyond reconnaissance or simpler strikes. This capability moves toward roles traditionally associated with manned strike aircraft.
Weighing in around 120 kilograms, the TOLUN IIR has a maximum range of around 43 nautical miles. ASELSAN, the maker of the TOLUN, describes the missile’s munition as a unitary warhead with reinforced-concrete penetration capability—nominally a great contribution to Turkey’s arsenal.
Turkey Is Moving Toward a Neo-Ottoman Empire
Thus far, Turkey has successfully tested the TOLUN (and its IIR variant) smart/glide munition in live-fire trials. The tests indicate that the drone can carry and launch the TOLUN with precision hits at standoff ranges.
Ankara is having a generational run right now. It is presiding over a complete reshaping of the Greater Middle East, where it envisages itself as the heir to the Ottoman Empire of old. Meanwhile, Turkey is continually at odds with its fellow NATO member, Greece. Ankara is working assiduously to possess the capabilities to overwhelm any Greek defenses with both massive numbers of drones as well as with more advanced weapons and platforms than what the Greeks possess.
Ankara has dreamt of restoring the Ottoman Empire. They just might yet do that. And the TOLUN and Akinci will be the platforms and weapons that help Ankara achieve these lofty goals.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest. Recently, Weichert became the host of The National Security Hour on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio, where he discusses national security policy every Wednesday at 8pm Eastern. He is also a contributor at Popular Mechanics and has consulted regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, and the Asia Times. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Michelle VP.
