TRT News – Indigenous Fire Suppression System Developed for Turkish Soldiers
The Explosion Suppression and Fire Fighting System, which has been used on armored land vehicles since 2012, has now begun to be integrated into air and naval platforms. The system is designed to protect both personnel and equipment.
Indigenous Explosion Suppression and Fire Fighting System Expanded to Air and Naval Platforms
The Explosion Suppression and Fire Fighting System, which has been used on armored land vehicles since 2012, has now begun to be integrated into air and naval platforms. The system is designed to protect both personnel and equipment.
Operating under the coordination of the Presidency of Defence Industries at the Anadolu Organized Industrial Zone, NERO Industries Defense Industry Inc. has developed an indigenous explosion suppression and fire fighting system using domestic technology.
The system, which has been deployed on armored land vehicles within the Turkish Armed Forces and the General Directorate of Security since 2012, is installed in critical sections of vehicles including the hull, tires, fuel tanks, ammunition compartments, engine areas, and crew compartments.
In the event of potential rocket or improvised explosive attacks against armored vehicles, the system is activated instantly and suppresses fires before they can spread, thereby protecting both personnel and equipment.
Currently used in approximately 95% of armored land vehicles, the system is now being integrated into air and naval platforms. Acting as a protective shield for Turkish soldiers engaged in counter-terrorism operations, the system is planned to be widely deployed across airborne and maritime platforms. The indigenous explosion suppression and fire fighting system is also exported to 28 countries, including the United States and Germany.
“Extinguishes Fire in the Blink of an Eye”
Project Department Manager Zekeriya Gürcan stated that the system was first designed and developed by local engineers and integrated into land platforms in 2012, and was later adapted and integrated for air and naval platforms.
Explaining that the system is capable of detecting and neutralizing threats such as missile strikes or incendiary devices entering the vehicle, Gürcan said:
“The system consists of three main components. It is controlled by a central unit, which we refer to as the ‘brain’, that decides on system activation. This is followed by detectors (sensors) that identify flames and threats, and finally suppression cylinders that extinguish and neutralize fires and threats inside the vehicle. Within just 250 milliseconds, equivalent to the blink of an eye, the system neutralizes potential threats without causing major damage to state and military vehicles, while ensuring the safety of our personnel.”
Exported to 28 Countries
Chairman of the Board Alican Ökçün provided the following information:
“Explosion suppression systems previously imported from countries such as Israel and Germany are now being produced domestically by us. The likelihood of vehicles being struck by rockets is quite high. Vehicles carrying 10 to 15 military personnel operate daily both domestically and internationally in operational zones. After ballistic protection systems, explosion suppression systems are the most critical solutions for protecting personnel lives. This system continuously monitors the interior of the vehicle 24/7 and, once a rocket penetrates the vehicle, instantly suppresses temperatures reaching up to 2,000 degrees Celsius within milliseconds. In this way, we save the lives of our soldiers. The positive feedback we receive is a great source of pride and motivation for us.”
Ökçün also noted that the system is currently deployed in nearly 3,000 vehicles belonging to Turkish security forces:
“Our motivation to develop even better systems grows every day. We are currently exporting to 28 countries. Armed forces in countries such as Germany, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, the United States, and Brazil are using Turkish-made explosion suppression systems produced by us. Our market continues to expand steadily. Today, we are one of the three major manufacturers globally, and rank among the top two companies in terms of scale. With new investments in the United States and Bulgaria, we continue to expand into the European Union and U.S. markets through new assembly facilities.”