Czech, Turkish firms agree to produce Korkut air defense system

Czech defense company Excalibur International, part of the Czechoslovak Group (CSG), has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Turkish Aselsan to establish a joint venture in the European Union and integrate the Korkut air defense system onto the Tatra Force 6×6 wheeled platform, the group said on Feb. 4.

The agreement marks a concrete step toward localizing production and expanding air defense offerings for European and global customers, according to a statement from CSG. The joint venture will be headquartered in the EU and focus on technical cooperation in air defense, electronic warfare, smart munitions, and border security.

As noted by CSG, one of the first tangible outcomes of the partnership will be the integration of the Korkut self-propelled air defense system, which uses automatic cannons, onto the Tatra Trucks Tatra Force 6×6 chassis. The system is intended for both European customers and export markets beyond the continent.

The Korkut system, developed by Aselsan, is designed to counter low-altitude aerial threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles. It employs programmable ammunition and integrated fire control systems intended to engage targets at short range. Excalibur International said the configuration is aimed at addressing growing demand for mobile, vehicle-mounted air defense systems across NATO and partner countries.

“The Korkut system is a modern air defense solution, particularly against hostile UAVs,” Miloš Šivara, chief executive of Excalibur International, said in a statement. He added that the use of programmable ammunition allows engagement costs to remain proportional to the price of the target.

Ahmet Akyol, general manager of Aselsan, said the integration combines advanced sensors and fire control technology with a mobile and reliable wheeled platform. According to Aselsan, the Tatra Force chassis provides high mobility and suitability for varied terrain, allowing the system to operate alongside mechanized and motorized units.

The agreement also outlines plans to shift production and system integration to CSG facilities in the Czech Republic and Slovakia as part of the localization process. CSG said this approach is intended to meet European supply chain requirements and shorten delivery timelines for customers within the region.

CSG, owned by Czech entrepreneur Michal Strnad, is an international industrial and technology group with operations across multiple defense and manufacturing sectors. The company employs more than 14,000 people worldwide and reported revenue of approximately €5.2 billion in 2024, including results from The Kinetic Group. CSG recently began trading on the Euronext exchange in Amsterdam.

Beyond the joint venture announcement, CSG said it has opened a permanent representation office in Brussels, becoming the first Czech defense company and only the second Czech firm overall to establish a continuous presence in the EU capital. The move follows CSG’s recent membership in the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD).

According to the company, the Brussels office will support engagement with European institutions and monitor industrial and defense policy developments at the EU level. Daniel Dobiáš has been appointed to lead the representation.