MKE says it is increasing 155 mm howitzer ammunition capacity 54-fold

Turkish state-owned defense company MKE said it has increased its 155 mm howitzer ammunition production capacity 54-fold through an investment program worth more than $1.5 billion.

Turkish defense company Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) said it has increased its 155 mm howitzer ammunition production capacity 54-fold under an investment program worth more than $1.5 billion. Along with the announcement, the company released a promotional video carrying the message "A massive production power behind what you see."

"With our record investment exceeding $1.5 billion, we continue to grow and to produce strategic products for our country, particularly in the field of ammunition. Through these investments, we are increasing our 155 mm howitzer ammunition production capacity by a full 54 times," MKE said in its statement.

The video featured 155 mm howitzer shells produced by MKE as well as footage of howitzers firing in the field.

Three new factories and more than 30 production lines

Under MKE's investment program covering 2023 to 2027, more than 30 new production lines and more than 350 new machine tools have been installed at existing factories. The program also includes three new factories in Kırıkkale, Kırşehir and Samsun.

A T-155 Fırtına self-propelled howitzer (archive)

An explosives factory in Kırıkkale, covering about 8 million square meters, is scheduled to start operating in 2026. The Kırşehir plant will produce CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) protective equipment, while the Samsun facility will manufacture MK-series aircraft bombs.

MKE General Manager İlhami Keleş said in May that the company's order backlog had reached $8.5 billion.