ROKETSAN : T-122 Sakarya rocket system

Agreement for cooperation between MKEK and TUBITAK - SAGE to develop the 122mm medium range artillery rocket was signed in the early 1990's and by using solid propellant technology of MKEK, SAGE developed a 122mm artillery rocket which was designated as Mizrak (Spear). For the launcher system two proposals were made by the

1. TUBITAK - SAGE with MKEK offered the Bora design, which very much resembled Yugoslavian M-77 Oganj MBRLS.


2. ROKETSAN with KaleKalip offered the Sakarya design.

ROKETSAN & KaleKalip's design was selected due to the advantage of the computerized fire control system. First prototype of this 122mm MBRLS on 6x6 tactical vehicle was first revealed to public in 1995 and fire tests were executed the same year in Karapinar Firing Range, Konya. Limited series production systems were delivered to Turkish Land Forces Command for evaluation in 1996 and full scale production deliveries commenced in 1997. Turkey rejected different offer made by Germany including the transfer of around 130 110mm LARS (Light Artillery Rocket System) MBRL systems in mid 1990's due to in confidence in system.
The T-122 Sakarya MBRL System that is designed to be autonomous artillery rocket system that can be used for indirect fire support mission during day and night, and in all weather conditions against area targets. There are two versions of T-122 MBRLS in service with Turkish land forces: MAN 26.281 6x6 (earlier production models) and MAN 26.372 6x6 mounted systems.

There are two set of 20-round tubes on the launcher, which can be hydraulically traversed and elevated. T-122 Sakarya rockets can be fired singly or in salvo. A full salvo of 40 rockets can be launched in 80 seconds. Reloading is via a hydraulic loading crane which is mounted on the launcher. When deployed in the firing position, four stabilizers are lowered to the ground under hydraulic control to provide a more stable firing platform.

T-122 Sakarya is designed to fulfills its mission independently or under battery organization of six T-122 MBRL's and can completes the firing mission of 40 rockets in 80 second, can deliver 740kg of warhead in a ripple firing and is operated by 5 men crew in regular usage or 3 men crew in emergency case.

The firing mission of the launcher is controlled with an onboard FCS which can do Built In Test (BIT) before and during firing, calculate firing data automatically for 122 mm rockets with different warheads using a precise flight simulation software, automatically aim and stow the launcher, fire the rockets in single or ripple in 2 sec. intervals, store up to 20 target locations. ROKETSAN now offers sealed launcher pods, which are specifically designed to resist harsh environment. These maintenance free pods are loaded at factory level by ROKETSAN. The rocket fuses are set remotely by the FCS.

T-122 Sakarya MBRLS is in serial production as of 2008 and more than 72 systems have been delivered to Turkish armed forces, including more than 18 systems to Cyprus Turkish Peace Corps. Currently Turkish land forces command is looking to purchase sealed launcher pods and TRK / SRK series of rockets with submunitions. T-122 Sakarya is deployed for suppression of enemy artillery, supporting muzzled artillery fire, providing direct fire support into depths of enemy lines and engaging high value targets such as air defence systems, command & control centers, supply lines, etc.


ROKETSAN has successfully exported TR-122 Sakarya MBRLS series to United Arab Emirates with the sale of 10,000 TRB-122 and TRK-122 rockets to be used from Italian made FIROS-25 122mm MBRLS. ROKETSAN was established in 1988 through the order of Defence Industry Executive Committee. Its main focus is on design, development and production of guided and unguided rocket and missile systems and related subsystems for the domestic use and for export. ROKETSAN has participated in international projects like production and test launching of motors of Stinger missiles for the European consortium, design and production of the flight termination unit of ESSM in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development Phase. The company currently produces various parts such as thrust vector control, warhead and control sections. One of the newest research and development projects of ROKETSAN is Cirit (Jereed) 2.75" laser guided rocket system for T-129 attack helicopters. Consisting of a laser seeker, guidance and control unit and moving surfaces installed on a 2.75" unguided rocket. Roketsan successfully tested its new 2.75in air-ground rocket in a precision-guided version in 2006. Cirit is expected to enter serial production in 2009. The laser guided rocket is 1.9m long, weighs 14kg and has a maximum range of 8km.

Posted in: MRLS,Roketsan,Turkey