Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

Turkey deploys Ates on EU frontier

30th April 2020 - 15:30 GMT | by Shephard News Team

RSS

Aselsan has provided the Turkish Land Forces with 10 Ates border security systems, which will be used to strengthen security along its border with Bulgaria and Greece.

The 10 units were received by border units based in Edirne and Kirkalerli. This brings the total number of Ates-equipped vehicles in the region to 57.

Funding was supported by EU pre-accession funds with the aim of tackling illegal immigration and smuggling into the EU via Turkey.

The Ates system is integrated with the Hizir 4x4 tactical wheeled armoured vehicle, which is manufactured by Katmerciler. The 57 vehicles were ordered under a €30 million ($32.65 million) contract awarded in May 2017.

Each Hizir 4x4 has on-vehicle sensors which locate gunshots, with a radar-detected target or firing point being displayed on a digital map. Furthermore, thermal imaging cameras can continuously record the mission and provide real-time data.

Hizir

Author

Shephard News Team

As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to Premium News and Defence Insight …

Read full bio

More from Land Warfare

World Defense Show 2026: MARSS displays new Nation Shield air defence C2 system

Nation Shield is the latest iteration of the MARSS C2 system and is designed to provide C2 further forward along with more capable air defence.
World Defense Show 2026: Middle East remains focused on US equipment and local industry involvement

Vehicle procurement in the Middle East continues to target big-ticket main battle tanks, with lighter platform purchases also potentially on the horizon including tactical, infantry fighting and armoured personnel carrier vehicles.
World Defense Show 2026: ST Engineering seeks edge in crowded 6x6 market

Positioned between light 4x4s and heavier 8x8 platforms, the new vehicle, Vantrex, aims to combine high payload capacity with IFV-level firepower in an increasingly competitive segment.
World Defense Show 2026: Rostec unveils new infantry fighting vehicle

The latest infantry fighting vehicle from Rosoboronexport draws on experience from the war in Ukraine, and is designed to be more lethal and more survivable than its predecessors.
World Defense Show 2026: ST Engineering’s Rhino 4x4 set to enter service

The Rhino 4x4 protected vehicle is being manufactured for an undisclosed country, likely to be Singapore, while its Agil counter-UAS C2 system is in low-rate production.
World Defense Show 2026: Saudi Arabia’s record defence spend highlights uncertain times

Saudi Arabia’s investment in its land forces, notably in the area of air defence as recently as 30 January, is a sign of the challenges the Gulf State faces, particularly the threat from Houthi rebels in Yemen.