SAHA EXPO 2024: Dağhan tracked armored vehicle integrates both 120mm mortar and tank fire capabilities

At the SAHA EXPO 2024 exhibition, the Turkish company MKE (Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi) introduced the Dağhan, a hybrid tracked armored vehicle equipped with a 120mm gun-mortar system. This system is capable of firing both 120mm smoothbore mortar grenades and 120mm tank shells, providing different options for battlefield engagements.

The gun-mortar system can fire 120mm tank shells at a range of 2-3 kilometers using line-of-sight (LoS) targeting and can deliver indirect fire with 120mm mortar grenades at a range of 7-8 kilometers. This combination of direct and indirect fire capabilities enables flexibility in various combat scenarios.

Produced by Anzatsan, the Dağhan tracked armored vehicle was first shown publicly during the Efes-2024 exercise. MKE developed this hybrid system to meet the needs of contemporary militaries, including the Turkish Armed Forces, by integrating technologies aimed at addressing current and future combat requirements. The vehicle operates with a hybrid propulsion system that includes a fully electric engine, reducing its detection by thermal imaging systems. It features a battery pack with a capacity of 258 kWh and is powered by a 630 horsepower engine, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 50 km/h.

The Dağhan variant presented has a maximum road range of 860 kilometers when operating without a load and 830 kilometers when fully loaded. It can accelerate from a standstill to 30 km/h in four seconds. The vehicle consumes fuel at a rate of 2.3 kW/km when unloaded and 2.4 kW/km when fully loaded. It is equipped with a 600-liter fuel tank and a generator with a combined capacity of 2 x 20 kW.

In terms of mobility, the Dağhan can climb gradients of up to 60% and cross side slopes of 30%. It is also capable of fording water obstacles up to 1.5 meters in depth. The vehicle’s dimensions include a length of less than 6 meters, a width of under 3 meters, and a height of less than 2.2 meters. It has a combat-loaded weight of 20 tons and can reach a top speed of 50 km/h.

The base model, the Dağhan H620 hybrid armored personnel carrier, uses an electric engine that provides a range of up to 500 kilometers in silent mode, allowing for stealth operations. It can cross vertical obstacles of up to 600mm and trenches up to 1.6 meters wide. The vehicle’s turning radius is zero due to its pivot turn capability, which allows for enhanced maneuverability in confined spaces.

The Dağhan is equipped with a control system that allows the crew to switch between five operational modes: parking, driving, transportation, training/drill, and battle mode. These modes can be activated while the vehicle is in motion. The vehicle is operated by a crew of one commander, one gunner, one driver, and nine additional personnel.

Without its turret, the Dağhan weighs 18 tons and can support various armament configurations. It can be fitted with medium-caliber turret systems between 20mm and 40mm, and auxiliary weapons like 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine guns. It is also compatible with mortar turret systems, including 81mm or 120mm mortars, or light tank guns with calibers of 105mm or 120mm, providing a range of options for different mission profiles.

Hybrid systems, like those developed for the Dağhan vehicle, are designed to reduce thermal and acoustic signatures, which contributes to lower detection rates in combat environments. The electric propulsion system is intended to improve fuel efficiency and maneuverability, both of which are relevant in demanding combat situations where sustained mobility and reduced energy consumption are important. The 120mm gun-mortar system provides the ability to fire both tank shells and mortar rounds, facilitating a range of battlefield applications from direct fire to indirect support.