At the SAHA 2024 exhibition, the Turkish company Makina ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) presented the new 155 mm self-propelled howitzer (SPH) Gürhan, formerly called E-Firtina. This new version was developed to address the export restrictions faced by the T-155 Firtina howitzers in service with the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) due to the embargo on engines and transmissions. To overcome these limitations, MKE has integrated a hybrid powertrain into the Firtina and has now completed firing tests for the Gürhan, which includes a combination of diesel and electric propulsion supported by advanced Turkish software and systems.
The Gürhan hybrid system includes an electric motor powered by batteries that can be charged from a diesel generator or independently within four hours. The electric motor provides 1,300 horsepower compared to the 1,000 hp produced by the diesel engine. This hybrid propulsion system is similar to the diesel-electric systems used on submarines, where the diesel engine functions as a generator for the electric drive. This configuration allows Gürhan to achieve operational flexibility and improve overall system performance while maintaining the same key features as the base Firtina.
In July 2024, Gürhan went through firings at Konya Karapinar, including high-pressure and maximum-range scenarios. These tests took place after the completion of the project verification and confirmed the operational readiness of the system. This development allows Gürhan to overcome export restrictions previously caused by reliance on foreign engine and transmission components, making the platform ready for international sales.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000A hybrid powertrain offers benefits in fuel economy, reduced maintenance costs, and increased service life. It also delivers an improved power-to-weight ratio of 28 hp/t compared to the diesel system's 21 hp/t, allowing the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 30 km/h in six seconds — one second faster than the regular version. The car weighs 48.4 tons, which is slightly heavier than the 47 tons of the diesel Firtina. In terms of range, the hybrid system increases the working distance to 500 km, which is significantly more than the diesel version (226 km), and the maximum speed of the Gürhan is 60 km/h.
The Gürhan hybrid system is also designed to address operational challenges by reducing logistics, reducing noise, and reducing the heat signature, making it less likely to be targeted by thermal weapons. In addition, the hybrid system facilitates maintenance by increasing service intervals and reducing the time required for engine and transmission replacements. The batteries have a capacity of 357.12 kWh and the diesel generator has a 250 liter fuel tank.
In terms of fire control capabilities, the Gürhan retains key features from the Firtina, including an updated fire control system and remotely controlled combat station (RCWS), which functions as optics. This system was first presented in the Firtina-NG version, and now it is integrated into Gürhan. Additionally, the howitzer is capable of firing precision munitions equipped with Roketsan's inertial homing kit (MDK), which includes brake-based correction and a multi-mode fuse, which was tested from the platform earlier in 2024.