YILDIRIM (J-600T)

In the mid-90s, Turkey entered into negotiations to build the M-270 MLRS system under license, but finally there was no agreement and Turkey turned to other types of rocket systems. The Turkish aspiration was to have infrastructures and technology to be able to manufacture rockets autonomously. In 1997 they signed a contract to build under license the Chinese WS-1A and WS-1B multiple launch rockets systems, under local designation T-300 Kasirga. In 1998 another agreement included the construction in Turkey of a B-611 battery and more than 200 rockets. Shortly after the chinese J-600T system appeared, which is the missile that Turkish company Roketsan has improved to get the Yildirim. In this last missile, practically all its capabilities have been improved, such as the range, the propellant and the guide system. New, more capable warheads have also been designed. The Yildirim was ready in 2001, but until August 2007 it was kept secret. Currently there are three versions of Yildirim with improved performances, but the warhead is the same in all of them. The Yildirim system is composed by the missile and the launcher truck, which is a 6×6 MAN 26.372 made in Turkey under license. The missile can be fired in less than 25 minutes since the order is given and carries a 480 kg conventional warhead.

J-600T YILDIRIM gallery and more info