Sarsılmaz’s 20mm cannon, produced in collaboration with TR Mekatronik using local and national capabilities, will be used on ATAK helicopters. Likewise, Sarsılmaz’s 12.7mm machine guns will be deployed on Hürkuş aircraft.
One of the most attention-grabbing products at the fair was Sarsılmaz’s new high-tech armed robot, SARBOT.
The Sarsılmaz presence dominates the SAHA Expo Defense and Aerospace Fair held in Istanbul. As one of the most established companies in the Turkish Defense Industry with a 142-year history, Sarsılmaz Firearms Industry showcased its full strength at the fair, held from October 25-28 at the Yeşilköy Istanbul Fair Center.
The 20mm nose cannon, developed by Turkish engineers for use on ATAK helicopters, is a product of the airborne cannon development project. Produced in cooperation with TR Mekatronik, a joint company of Sarsılmaz and TUSAŞ, the turreted rotary cannon system can fire 750 rounds of 20mm ammunition per minute, significantly enhancing the Turkish Armed Forces’ firepower.
At the fair, Sarsılmaz also presented its 12.7mm machine guns for Hürkuş aircraft and further cemented its position among the world’s leading defense brands with its new high-tech weapon, SARBOT. The SARBOT armed robot, launched at the fair, drew widespread admiration from visitors.
At Sarsılmaz’s stand (Hall 7, Stand 7B-06A), visitors experienced a broad spectrum of more than 300 domestically developed products. Under the slogan “In Air, On Land, At Sea,” Sarsılmaz showcased its capacity to produce weapons and ammunition covering all calibers to meet the needs of an entire military unit. The fair featured infantry rifles, machine guns, and pistols alongside international industry professionals.
A first: Simulated shooting experience
For the expo, Sarsılmaz offered visitors a unique experience: for the first time in Turkey, participants could use Sarsılmaz firearms in an ultra-realistic shooting simulation replicating Sarsılmaz’s open-air test range. Visitors could engage in simulated shooting with the SAR9 METE pistol, SAR 109T submachine gun, and SAR 56 infantry rifle.
Sarsılmaz’s pride on display:
SAR 127 MT – Power on land, air, and sea
The SAR 127 MT heavy machine gun, fully developed by Sarsılmaz with all technical data provided exclusively in Turkey, stood out as a highlight. Chambered in 12.7x99mm, the SAR 127 MT can operate in both fully automatic and semi-automatic modes. The system can also integrate with UKSS and, with the appropriate interfaces, be mounted on land, sea, and air platforms. The rapid barrel replacement version for land platforms is compatible with all armored vehicles. Aerial versions, equipped with fast-cooling fixed barrels and lightweight internal components, offer a higher rate of fire and will be mounted on Hürkuş-C aircraft wings via a pod system developed in partnership with TR Mekatronik. The weapon, weighing approximately 38kg, achieves an effective range of 1,830 meters when used with a tripod.
SAR 762 MT – Sarsılmaz quality in machine guns
The 7.62x51mm SAR 762 MT machine gun, delivered to the Turkish Gendarmerie and integrated on 4x4 tactical wheeled armored vehicles, was also showcased. The SAR 762 MT comes in four variants (A, B, C, D), with specific versions designed for remote-controlled weapon systems, infantry use, and coaxial installations on armored vehicles. The maximum range of the weapon reaches 3,725 meters, with an effective range of 1,100 meters, and an average weight of 12kg.
Infantry rifles: Experience meets innovation
Sarsılmaz also displayed its infantry rifles at SAHA EXPO, including the SAR 56, developed with feedback from field personnel, and the MPT 76 SH, a lighter, enhanced version of the standard MPT 76. The SAR 56, chambered in 5.56x45mm, features a five-position adjustable cheek rest, removable handguard, angled grip, and short-stroke gas piston system, with barrel lengths of 7.5, 11, and 14.5 inches. The MPT 76 SH, chambered in 7.62x51mm NATO, uses a 20-round magazine and features a modular rail system for accessories, capable of 700 rounds per minute and effective up to 600 meters.
Sarsılmaz pistols: Meeting all needs
To meet the full spectrum of military requirements, Sarsılmaz also showcased pistols and submachine guns, including the SAR 109 series C and T models designed for close-quarters combat. The SAR 109T, chambered in 9x19mm NATO, features a modular body compatible with various accessories, with a firing rate of approximately 900 rounds per minute and a fully loaded weight of 3,032 grams.
Visitors could also explore the SAR9 pistol family, including SAR9 X, SAR9 Sport, SAR9 C, SAR9 SP, SAR9 METE, SAR9 Gen2, and the compact SAR9 SC and SAR9 CX models. The SAR9 CX offers a 15-round magazine, reflex sight and flashlight without additional attachments, and cooling channels on the slide for high-performance rapid fire. The SAR9 SC is designed for concealed carry, while the SAR9 SP meets tactical requirements for close-combat scenarios.
