Ukraine Quietly Fields Turkish Korkut Air Defense Guns Against Russian Drones

Ukraine is already operating Turkish-made Korkut gun-based air defense systems against Russian drones following a previously undisclosed delivery from Türkiye.

According to Defense Express on October 5, citing Middle East Eye, a small number of the systems have entered Ukrainian service and are already successfully intercepting Russian drones. The delivery had not previously been publicly announced by either Ukraine or Türkiye.

An unnamed Ukrainian official told Middle East Eye that operators initially encountered some difficulties with the systems, but the issues were resolved through relatively minor adjustments. The official also said the Korkut’s price was considered appropriate for its capabilities and that Ukraine was interested in acquiring additional systems.

The exact Korkut variant delivered to Ukraine has not been officially disclosed. However, Middle East Eye’s reporting cited the use of 25 mm programmable ammunition against FPV drones, including fiber-optic-controlled UAVs—a detail that Defense Express said could point to the Korkut 100/25 SB.

Developed by Turkish defense company Aselsan, the Korkut 100/25 SB is a short-range air defense system built around a 25 mm automatic cannon. It can fire ATOM programmable airburst ammunition, which detonates near an aerial target rather than requiring a direct hit.

According to Defense Express, the Korkut 100/25 SB has an effective range exceeding one kilometer and a rate of fire of up to 600 rounds per minute. Its targeting suite includes an active electronically scanned array radar, thermal imaging cameras, a laser rangefinder, and AI-based algorithms for target detection and engagement.

The combat module can be integrated onto different vehicle platforms, including 4×4 armored vehicles such as the Ejder Yalçın.

Defense Express, citing Middle East Eye, reported that a Korkut system supplied to Ukraine consists of three gun vehicles and a command-and-control vehicle. It remains unclear, however, whether that configuration corresponds specifically to the Korkut 100/25 SB or another member of the Korkut family.

Aselsan also produces Korkut variants armed with 35 mm cannons, which offer an engagement range of up to approximately four kilometers and are designed to counter drones and other low-flying aerial threats, including cruise missiles.

Ukraine has previously selected 35 mm Korkut systems for its Ada-class corvettes, including the Hetman Ivan Mazepa and Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi.

Neither Ukraine nor Türkiye has publicly confirmed the number of land-based Korkut systems delivered or identified the exact variant currently operating in Ukraine.

Earlier, Ukraine publicly revealed its Rheinmetall Skyranger 35 air defense system for the first time, with footage suggesting the German-built 35 mm gun system may have been operating in the country for months before its presence was officially acknowledged.

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