HAVELSAN Launches Mass Production of Autonomous Ground Vehicle BARKAN

Turkish defence technology firm HAVELSAN has officially begun mass production of its medium-class autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), BARKAN. This milestone comes after BARKAN entered the Turkish military inventory in 2023 and received the green light for full-scale production from the Presidency of Defense Industries.

Since its initial deployment, BARKAN has seen considerable upgrades. Field experience and operational feedback over the past year have been key in shaping these improvements. The vehicle has been fitted with multiple advanced payloads, enabling it to perform effectively in real combat zones, meeting and exceeding performance expectations.

To meet the increased demand, HAVELSAN has expanded its development team and brought in new, highly qualified subcontractors. This move is aimed at boosting production speed and maintaining high-quality standards. While the physical development of the platform benefits from the expertise of subcontractors, HAVELSAN’s in-house software engineering team is taking the lead on the vehicle’s brain—its advanced software systems.

BARKAN's software is constantly evolving, which is central to its success on the battlefield. One of the unique aspects of BARKAN’s development process is the dual use of simulation technologies and field testing. Virtual simulations allow the team to test and improve BARKAN’s capabilities in a safe, controlled environment before applying them in real-world situations. This combination ensures that BARKAN remains a cutting-edge and dependable system in its class.

HAVELSAN General Manager Dr. Mehmet Akif Nacar expressed pride in BARKAN’s progress, crediting the Turkish Land Forces Command and the Defense Industries Presidency for their strong backing. He also acknowledged the teamwork among partner firms, calling it essential to the project’s success.

One of BARKAN’s standout features is its ability to function as part of a swarm—a networked group of unmanned ground and air vehicles that operate in coordination. According to HAVELSAN’s Deputy General Manager for Simulation, Autonomous, and Platform Management Technologies, Muhittin Solmaz, this capability was planned from the outset. While BARKAN performs strongly as a standalone unit, its integration potential with other systems sets it apart as a future-ready platform.

Veysel Ataoğlu, Director of Product Development and Electronic Systems, emphasized the importance of working closely with Turkish security forces throughout the development phase. He noted that the decision to start mass production is a major vote of confidence in the project, calling it a strong motivator for the entire team.

With its intelligent systems, modular payload options, and potential for coordinated swarm missions, BARKAN is poised to become a key element in Turkey’s future military operations.