While CANiK M3 FALCON, the heavy machine gun developed by Samsun Yurt Defense (SYS) for the destruction of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and used integrated with helicopters, was exhibited for the first time at the SAHA 2026 International Defense, Aviation and Space Industry Fair, international shipments of the product also started. SAHA 2026 fair, organized by SAHA Istanbul, the largest defense, aviation and space industry cluster of Türkiye and Europe, continues at the Istanbul Expo Center.
Within the scope of the event, where Anadolu Agency (AA) is the global communication partner, participating companies exhibit their latest products and technologies. While SYS Group, one of the global players of the Turkish defense industry, introduces new products within the scope of the fair, it deepens its international collaborations with the vision of “integrated defense ecosystem”. SYS Group’s biggest surprise at SAHA 2026 was the highly engineered CANiK M3 FALCON.
The new generation 12.7×99 mm heavy machine gun, developed especially considering the harsh operational needs of air platforms, is exhibited for the first time at the fair. The system, which prevents overheating with its open-bolt structure, draws attention with its high firing rate, unshakable reliability and flexible structure that adapts to the changing conditions of the modern battlefield. The “Dispersed Mobile Layered Air Defense Architecture” signed by UNIROBOTICS, which was introduced last month and created a great impact, will also meet visitors at the fair.
This smart architecture, developed against modern drone threats, brings together TRAKON RCWS (Remote Controlled Weapon Systems), CANiK heavy machine gun family and VENOM LR medium caliber gun system components in a single integrated network. This concept, which has full dominance in different range layers, attracts the attention of international delegations, especially with its low cost and sustainability. “Shipments of FALCONs abroad have started” SYS Chairman of the Board of Directors Zafer Aral, in his statement to the AA correspondent at the fair area, stated that SAHA 2026 clearly reveals the point Turkey has reached in the defense industry and said, “Turkey has now reached a different point.
Therefore, as a company, we are making large investments to meet the needs of Turkey, which develops cyclically and whose needs differ.” he said. Expressing that they continue to develop weapons and platforms suitable for the changing war concept, such as heavy machine guns and cannon production, Aral explained that they exhibited many types of cannons, their remote-controlled turrets, heavy machine guns and CANiK M3 FALCON at the fair.
Referring to the features of CANiK M3 FALCON, Aral continued his words as follows: “CANiK M3 FALCON is a design designed to eliminate drones from helicopters, against drones, witness type drones. Could it be? Yes, it is currently in active use. Because the speed of witness drones is 250 kilometers per hour. A helicopter can also move at this speed very easily. When the radars detect these drones or unmanned aerial vehicles, the helicopters take off and they can completely eliminate the drones or UAVs by opening their doors with FALCONs.
Shipments are currently being made. The first shipments were made to Pakistan and Azerbaijan. This new combat concept is being demonstrated for the first time and is in use for the first time. Because this is the new war concept. “This need has just emerged and a solution has already been produced using helicopters and FALCONs.” “Preliminary work has been started to be used in GÖKBEY as well.” Zafer Aral said that they started to receive demands for these weapons, which can reach 1200 shots per minute via helicopter, after the war started between the USA, Israel and Iran, and that a solution was requested.
Stating that they produced it in a short time after the demand, Aral said, “There were already weapons. “We developed the weapon and made it easy to use on a helicopter.” he said. Aral stated that preliminary work has been started for its use in GÖKBEY in Turkey and that the tests have been completed in Konya together with ASELSAN. “There will also be other demands from abroad” SYS Chairman Aral stated that the shipments of more than 40 CANiK M3 FALCONs, which will be integrated into more than 20 helicopters in Azerbaijan, have started and that the first products have been sent to Pakistan.
Aral said, “It is ready to be used against any attack by witness-type UAVs or against any UAV that radars can detect and track.” he said. Stating that they expect initial demand for this new concept, Aral said that the interest is high. An agreement was signed to arm Kosovo’s armored land vehicles. Zafer Aral stated that they signed an important agreement with Kosovo at the fair and said, “The agreement is about the arming of Kosovo’s existing armored vehicles.
We have 30×113 mm guns. An agreement was signed to arm the armored vehicles in Kosovo with 30×113 mm turrets and guns. We will arm 100 land vehicles with turrets and 30×113 mm guns. 50 “It’s a million-dollar-plus deal.” He made a statement. Underlining that Turkey has now reached a very different position in the world defense industry, Aral concluded his words as follows: “The concept of war has changed. Wars have begun to be fought with unmanned land, sea and air vehicles that do not cost much, and the most effective weapons that these vehicles can carry.
This is now the concept of war. We can say that Turkey is the only country in the world with this concept today. Therefore, for the last 6 months, especially the last 3 months, we have been in constant contact with states that have been in great search for this new war concept, from the Gulf countries to the Philippines and Indonesia, from Malaysia to African countries.” Source: AA
Comments
You can write your views about this story. Comments may be moderated according to site settings.