Ateş Serbest-2026 exercise features 104 weapons and systems

The Ateş Serbest-2026 exercise in Ankara’s Polatlı district featured 104 weapons and systems in the Turkish Armed Forces’ inventory. The exercise included various firing activities involving aircraft, howitzers, unmanned aerial vehicles, sniper rifles and air defense systems.

The Distinguished Observer Day of the Ateş Serbest-2026 exercise, held at the General Nahit Şenoğlu Firing and Exercise Area in Ankara’s Polatlı district, took place yesterday. The event was attended by Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Chief of the General Staff Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, Azerbaijani Chief of the General Staff Gen. Kerim Veliyev, Land Forces Commander Gen. Metin Tokel, Air Forces Commander Rafet Dalkıran, Qatar’s Land Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Jassim Bin Ali Al Attiyah and Deputy Minister Bilal Durdalı.

The joint exercise aimed to demonstrate the firepower of the Turkish Armed Forces, showcase the impact of weapons in the inventory on targets and improve coordination in fire support among the forces. Personnel from the force commands and the Special Forces Command took part in the exercise.

104 weapons and systems featured

The exercise included F-16 fighter jets, ATAK attack helicopters and numerous weapons systems, including 104 weapons and systems produced with domestic and national capabilities and placed at the disposal of the Turkish Armed Forces.

The TOLGA close-range air defense system was used during the exercise. AI-assisted Uçangöz systems carried out smoke-screening, concealment and CBRN decontamination activities. AKINCI and TB-2 unmanned aerial vehicles conducted firing exercises with various munitions, while CH-47 Chinook helicopters carried out the deployment of commandos.

The exercise included 53 different activities conducted for the first time this year. These included smoke-screening and CBRN decontamination with Uçangöz systems, AKINCI and TB-2 firing exercises with various munitions, and the deployment of commandos by CH-47 Chinook helicopters.

Targets engaged with different systems

As part of the scenario, TB-2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles fired Kemankeş munitions during an attack operation against strategic assets. Mortar fire was carried out with Fırtına and Boran howitzers, striking designated targets.

Four Uçangöz systems carried out autonomous smoke-screening as part of a route-clearing operation. An ATAK helicopter destroyed drones during an operation in the rear area, while AKINCI conducted successive firing exercises from different altitudes using TEBER and TOLUN munitions. Targets were also engaged with kamikaze mini-UAV systems.

Alongside aircraft, TOLGA, GÖKBERK, ALKA and EJDERHA systems conducted operations against drone threats. Two F-16 fighter jets belonging to the Air Forces Command provided close air support to ground units and carried out a reconnaissance flight.

Sniper teams also took part

While domestically produced infantry rifles were used in the exercise, sniper teams fired at small targets from distances of 600 meters and 1 kilometer. The firing exercises conducted with KNT-76, Bora-12 and KN-12 sniper rifles were observed by the observer delegation.

Motorized commando units were deployed to designated areas by CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The units linked up with paramotor teams, while the motorized teams moved to a secure area and fired at drone-linked targets.

After a flypast by TB-2 and AKINCI, mounted units resupplied BORAN howitzers with ammunition. Following Yaşar Güler’s presentation of gifts to successful personnel, the Turkish Stars carried out an aerobatic display, bringing the exercise to an end.

Source: Anadolu Ajansı

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