Turkish private company develops unmanned mini tank

KONYA - Anadolu Agency

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A Turkish company based in the Central Anatolian province of Konya has developed an unmanned mini tank to prevent casualties among security forces, the private company ELFATEK announced on Feb. 13.        

According to company head Bahattin Düzgün, the mini tank, dubbed ANKEBOT, has entered the radar of the Turkish military and the Undersecretariat of Defense Industry.        

The ANKEBOT could help security forces fight against militants by entering dangerous scenarios from a relatively safe distance of 200 meters, he added.     

“This is the first version of ANKEBOT made through our own means. It is specifically made and ready for combat. We spoke with the Turkish General Staff, while the undersecretary of defense came here to see the ANKEBOT. We are now waiting for good news from the Undersecretariat of Defense. It managed to impress the managers of our security institutes,” Düzgün said.        

The mini tank is controlled by a joystick remote control system, which has a battery life of eight hours and is capable of cruising at six kilometers per hour with a load of 100 kilograms.        

The ANKEBOT could be used for bomb disposal, fire-fighting, close combat and transport of injured personnel, according to Düzgün.        

He added that the product could be equipped with armor, heavy machine gun and thermal vision.