HISAR

Quick Facts

Variants	HISAR-A HISAR-O
Role and Mobility	Air Defense; Road-Mobile
Interceptors and Range	High Explosive Fragmentation Warhead HISAR-A – 15km HISAR-O – 25km
Sensors	KALKAN Air Defense Radar Midcourse Guidance with Inertial Navigation and Data Link Terminal Guidance with Imaging Infrared Seeker
Targets	Aircraft, Helicopters, Cruise Missiles, Navigation Missiles, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Status/Exports	In Production; N/A
Designer/Producer	ASELSAN and Roketsan

Overview

HISAR-A: HISAR-A is a Turkish low-altitude air defense system based on an FNSS ACV-30 tracked vehicle chassis armed with four vertical launched missiles. It utilizes the KALKAN Air Defense radar paired with an electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) system, allowing it to operate as an independent standalone system without the need to operate as a battery with a separate Fire Control System (FCS).[i]

HISAR-O: HISAR-O is a Turkish medium-altitude air defense system that utilizes infrared homing for guidance. It is mounted on a Mercedes-Benz Zetros chassis. It features modular and design and can be vertically launched if needed. HISAR-O is dual-purposed; it can perform missions autonomously using a medium-altitude 3D search radar or operate as part of a battery using a fire control unit.[ii]

Both HISAR missile systems were developed to protect military bases, ports, facilities and troops against threats from the air and are designed to be compatible with different platform integrations.[iii]

Strategic Implications

HISAR-A is strategically valuable because it offers configurations that allow for autonomous firings. It also has the capability to engage multiple threats at once making it an important air defense system for operation during war time.[iv] It’s advanced threat evaluation weapon assignment capability allows for Turkish Defense Forces to quickly assign threat priority levels to incoming weapons, allowing them better chances at intercepting the most critical threats.

HISAR-O offers remote operation and quick ready-to-fire missiles enabling quick responses to aggression by enemy forces. It can be used to defend fixed positions or placed on a truck to travel to critical locations when needed, making it a very versatile system.[v]

Both HISAR air defense systems offer advanced technology that fill the gap in Turkey’s air defense. Their thrust vectoring systems and hybrid control systems provide increased maneuverability at low and medium altitudes, increasing the chances at a successful interception.

Timeline

2020 (expected): HISAR-O is expected to enter service with the Turkish Armed Forces.[vi]

February 2018: Turkey successfully conducted a test flight of HISAR-A.[vii]

July 2014: The first flight test of the HISAR-O missile system was performed.

June 2011: The primary contract was awarded to ASELSAN and the secondary contract was awarded to Roketsan.

September 2008: A subsequent request for proposals was issued.

April 2007: The Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Industries issued a request for information to meet a low to medium altitude air defense requirements.[viii]