Winter Exercise-2025

Winter Exercise-2025 is being conducted from 20 February to 7 March 2025 at the Martyr Is. Asb. Ust. İlhan Hamlı Firing and Exercise Area in Karst, under the command and control of the 3rd Army Command, managed by the Black Forces Command, executed under the direction of the 9th Corps Command, with the participation of friend and allied elements, led by the 14th Mechanized Infantry Brigade Command. 

The primary objectives of the exercise include ensuring cooperation and coordination in the execution of joint and joint operations, testing battle capabilities and capacities including firing in deep and severe cold conditions, realistically simulating the battlefield in all dimensions, synchronizing fire and maneuver, enhancing training levels in winter-specific positioning, sheltering, logistics and maintenance activities, improving survivability, and ensuring the operation of command and control systems under winter conditions place. 

Participants in the Exercise

1. National Ministry of National Defense

2. General Staff of the Armed Forces

3. Land Forces Command

4. Sea Forces Command

5. Air Forces Command

6. Special Forces Command

7. Civil Public Organizations and Institutions

8. United States of America

9. Azerbaijan 

10. Bangladesh

11. Bosnia and Herzegovina

12. Georgia

13. Italy

14. Kazakhstan

15. Kosovo

16. North Macedonia

17. Pakistan 

Turkish The ZMA-X armored combat vehicle, converted from the modernized ZMA-15 platform into an unmanned system with remote control and autonomous movement capabilities, participated in the exercise for the first time. It provides fire support through an unmanned and remotely controlled weapon system while retaining its manned operational capability due to its unique design. The armored combat vehicle is also compatible with muddy roads, desert conditions, asphalt road, stabilized roads and soil terrain. 

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During the exercise, the national Air Defense Early Warning and Command and Control System (HERİKKS), developed with indigenous systems, was introduced.

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A team composed of special forces from participating countries conducted an infiltration operation against a designated enemy target as required by the scenario. Special forces descending by helicopter to enemy targets completed their operations by destroying caves in a successful manner. 

During the exercise, firing commands were easily calculated using ASELSAN's developed "Fire Management Information Systems," enabling precise hits on targets. A guided missile was fired from an armored anti-tank vehicle using the CİRİT missile. Additionally, Atak teams eliminated their targets from behind the support line using locally produced Cirit and UMTAS missiles. 

In the exercise area where troops were parachuted from a Cargo aircraft, F-16s and paramotors flying with the Turkish flag performed a salute flight. 

In the final phase, a sniper team composed of joint forces placed the enemy's machine rifle and anti-tank weapon positions under fire. Turkish soldiers achieved precise hits on targets using the locally developed KN-12 sniper rifle. 

The KARGU kamikaze mini-UAV system, the mini-UAS systems Akrop and Komodo, the proton elite detector tunnel detection device, the base-mounted Cirit, Togan and Serçe 2 mini-UAVs, Serçe 3 mini-UAV, 81mm and 120mm mortar electronic fire direction system, KN12 sniper rifle, minus 25 degree cold-resistant indigenous and national new type winter clothing sets and assault vests, as well as indigenous and national CBRN clothing, were all utilized during the exercise. 

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