Turkish state defense company MKE received a large order for the production of thermobaric Aircraft bombs for the needs of the Turkish Air Force. This is reported in the latest statements of the company and publications in defense sources.
In total, the Turkish Air Force plans to purchase 1900 thermobaric bombs for, as indicated in the release, a significant increase in the strike potential of aviation.
Thermobaric ammunition is designed to destroy fortified targets, bunkers, caves – manpower in enclosed spaces. As is well known, they create a powerful shock wave, a long high-temperature effect and the effect of a sharp pressure drop due to burnout of oxygen in a certain volume in extremely short time. All this allows you to cope with the manpower, hidden by fortifications of various types.
The order follows successful tests and the presentation of one of the most powerful Turkish developments – the thermobaric GAZAP bomb (weighing about 970 kg, based on Mk-84), which in Turkey is called “the most powerful non-nuclear bomb in History countries.” The bomb demonstrates high penetrating ability and a devastating effect that can generate temperatures up to several thousand degrees and scatter thousands of fragments.
MKE is traditionally one of the key utilities manufacturers for the Turkish army. Experts note that this volume of the order indicates serious plans to modernize the strike capabilities of the Turkish Air Force (primarily the F-16 and potentially other platforms).
Who are they going to bomb?
Presumably, the Turkish Air Force can use the aviation “thermobar” against the positions of Kurdish formations in neighboring Iraq. Testing in practice, so to speak…
