MKE’s Push Into Tropical Jungle Artillery Concepts

THE Boran 105mm lightweight towed howitzer by Turkish firm MKE has emerged as one of the most notable systems of recent years, steadily building a global success story and striking the export market. Drawing on MKE’s extensive experience in heavy weapons manufacturing and advanced engineering capabilities, the Boran has distinguished itself as a high-performance and reliable system, proving its effectiveness both in operational use and across international markets since it entered service with the Turkish Armed Forces in 2021.

Since then, the Boran has attracted international attention after Bangladesh acquired it as the first overseas howitzer export in the history of the Republic of Turkiye. Following the delivery to Bangladesh, the Boran underwent live-fire trials conducted in Malaysia in May 2025, where it was evaluated alongside howitzer systems from other countries. At the trials, the Boran demonstrated its “jungle lethality” by firing 12 rounds in just 46 seconds, clearly outperforming its competitors in terms of rate of fire and overall system integrity. These results further generated strong interest in the market.

Showcasing impressive field performance and gaining wide recognition at both national and international levels, the Boran howitzer also received full marks during its deployment in North Macedonia in 2025, becoming the first European country to which the Boran was exported.

Distinctive superior capabilities for Malaysia

Designed in line with modern defence requirements, the Boran weighs only 1,775kg, making it one of the lightest howitzers in the world. Thanks to the lightweight design, it can be rapidly transported by helicopters or over land with vehicles capable of carrying heavy loads. It can be ready to fire in less than one minute and further sets itself apart with its ability to fire while on its wheels. The system has also been specifically designed to meet the operational requirements of commando and quick reaction airborne brigades.

Autonomous precision: Unlike older towed guns that require manual survey teams, the Boran uses a GPS/INS-supported Fire Control System. In dense tropical canopies where visibility is near zero, the gun can calculate its own firing solution locally, ensuring accuracy even if satellite connectivity is disrupted.

Rapid deployment: The system can be ready to fire in under 60 seconds and can even fire while on its wheels. This is critical for surviving “hide and seek” artillery duels where counter-battery radar or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) can pinpoint a firing location within minutes. Unmanned systems are now organic parts of artillery units, extending the search for targets up to 100km and providing real-time fire correction.

MKE has stated that the Boran stands as a concrete example of the engineering expertise and export capability achieved by Turkiye’s defence industry. Strengthening its position in the global market day by day, the Boran continues to attract the attention of many countries across Asia, Europe and beyond with its superior capabilities and high export potential.

MKE is currently in advanced negotiations to supply the Boran as an effective light artillery system to Malaysia and the Philippines. In Southeast Asia’s fragmented geography (e.g., Malaysia’s split between the Peninsula and Borneo Island), MKE is promoting a concept of rapid air-assault artillery to counter threats in deep jungle or isolated coastal zones.

MKE is a top contender for a significant 105mm light gun tender. For archipelagic nations like the Philippines, the Boran’s ability to be quickly moved between islands via light amphibious craft or medium-lift helicopters makes it an ideal “plug-and-play” defence asset for remote outposts.

Negotiations with Malaysia are ongoing within the scope of the Army’s light towed howitzer requirement. Among the howitzers included in the tender, the MKE Boran stands out due to its high-quality standards, outstanding performance in live-firing tests in the country. The Malaysian Army is currently evaluating a major tender for the remaining requirement to replace its ageing OTO Melara Mod 56 howitzer guns. The Boran’s “staggering” performance in May last year has made it a formidable challenger in the tender.

Turkiye and Malaysia are deepening their defence partnership, focusing on joint production, technology transfer and NATO-standard equipment to enhance Malaysia’s maritime and aerospace capabilities. Recently, both countries have transitioned from a buyer-seller relationship to a High- Level Strategic Cooperation Council aimed at co-developing and producing a wide range of NATO-standard defence products. This collaboration, formalised through multiple government-to-government (G2G) agreements and MoUs, focuses on achieving technological sovereignty and industrial resilience for both nations.

MKE, cornerstone of Turkiye’s defence production

Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi A.Ş. (MKE) has completed a historic transformation from a state institution into a multi-billion-dollar global competitor. With roots stretching back to the 15th-century Ottoman ”Top Asithanesi” (Imperial Armory) established by Fatih Sultan Mehmet, the company is now making headlines for its rapid commercial expansion and record-breaking export deals.

While MKE was officially established in its modern form in 1950, its recent business trajectory was redefined by a critical legal shift in July 2021. The Turkish Grand National Assembly has transitioned the entity from a state institution (MKEK) into a joint-stock company (MKE A.Ş.). With an initial capital of US$26.94 million, the company remains under the Turkish Ministry of Defence, though it now operates under private law, granting it the agility to form international joint ventures and compete more effectively in global markets.

In 2024, MKE reached an annual revenue of US$1.2 billion for the first time in its history. International sales skyrocketed from US$40m in 2021 to US$639m in 2024 – a 16-fold increase. MKE debuted on the SIPRI Top 100 arms-producing companies in late 2025, ranking 93rd globally with 17.4% year- on-year growth.

MKE is currently riding a wave of record-breaking international demand. By leveraging Turkiye’s new G2G sales framework to secure high-value long-term partnerships, the company has transitioned from a local supplier to a top-tier global exporter, with its Boran howitzer and Tolga air defence system leading the charge.

MKE general manager İlhami Keleş recently stated that the company is targeting US$2b in annual revenue by 2027 and is targeting a spot in the global Top 70 defence firms.