MKE’s BORAN Howitzer Marks Türkiye’s First-Ever and First-to-Europe Artillery Exports
Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) has advanced Türkiye’s land-systems export profile with the overseas delivery of its 105 mm BORAN howitzer, following a sequence of milestones that include the country’s first-ever howitzer export and its first delivery of the category to Europe.
A lightweight system built for rapid deployment
BORAN is a 105 mm, 30-calibre, air-transportable, lightweight towed howitzer designed to support fast-moving forces. The system weighs approximately 1,745 kilograms including its fire-control system and is engineered to transition from transport to firing position in under one minute.
With a maximum range of around 17 kilometers at sea level and a rate of fire of up to six rounds per minute, BORAN is positioned for use by airborne units, light infantry, and formations operating in terrain where heavier artillery systems face mobility constraints.
The manufacturer behind the platform
BORAN is produced by Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi, one of Türkiye’s longest-established defence manufacturers. Founded in 1950, MKE operates across a broad defence portfolio that includes ammunition, small arms, heavy weapons, and explosives.
In 2021, the company was restructured from a public economic enterprise into a state-owned joint-stock company while remaining affiliated with the Ministry of National Defense. The restructuring aimed to enhance operational flexibility, export capacity, and international cooperation.
January 2024: Türkiye’s first howitzer export
MKE announced that BORAN became the first howitzer exported in the history of the Republic of Türkiye following a contract with Bangladesh. According to the company, deliveries were scheduled to begin in January 2024.
The export marked BORAN’s first entry into foreign military service and established the system as an internationally marketed artillery platform rather than a solely domestic asset.
June 2025: entry into the European market
A second milestone followed with BORAN’s delivery to North Macedonia, making it Türkiye’s first howitzer export to Europe. Six systems were delivered in June 2025 along with ammunition and related equipment.
After delivery, BORAN units completed live-fire activities in Europe, marking the first time a Turkish-produced howitzer conducted firing operations on the continent.
Position within the 105 mm category
BORAN operates within the 105 mm lightweight artillery class, a category still favored by many armed forces for its balance between firepower and mobility. Systems in this segment are typically selected for missions that prioritize air transportability, rapid emplacement, and lower logistical demands over the extended range and payload of heavier calibres.
Within this class, BORAN offers specifications comparable to other modern lightweight howitzers, with an emphasis on digital fire control and quick deployment rather than sustained high-volume fire.
Implications for Türkiye’s defence exports
The sequence of deliveries to Bangladesh and North Macedonia places BORAN among a limited number of Turkish land systems to secure both non-European and European export customers in the artillery field. While the number of units delivered remains modest, the European delivery represents a notable step in terms of market access and visibility.
MKE has not announced further export contracts for BORAN. However, the system’s operational deliveries indicate growing international interest in Turkish-produced lightweight artillery platforms.