The 105 mm BORAN air-transportable light towed howitzer, developed entirely with domestic and national capabilities by the Machine and Chemical Industry (MKE), successfully completed extensive firing exercises in North Macedonia —where it was exported—and received top marks from the user. This success has once again demonstrated the BORAN’s operational effectiveness in the field.
Successful Field Performance in North Macedonia
Under the contract signed between MKE and the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of North Macedonia, six BORAN howitzers and their accompanying ammunition were delivered to North Macedonia on June 6, 2025.
As the first howitzer export in the history of the Republic—previously shipped to Bangladesh—the BORAN also met expectations in North Macedonia, the first European country to receive the system following its delivery to Asia. Having successfully completed live-fire testing, the BORAN demonstrated the system’s high accuracy and operational reliability.
Technical and Operational Advantages of the BORAN Howitzer
Designed to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces, the BORAN possesses unique features in its class.
The World’s Lightest: Featuring a 105-millimeter-caliber barrel with a length of 30 calibers, the BORAN weighs between 1,745 and 1,775 kilograms —including the Fire Control System—making it one of the world’s lightest howitzers.
High Mobility: Thanks to its lightweight design, the howitzer can be easily transported to any desired location—by air via Sikorsky S-70 and Chinook helicopters, or by land using heavy-lift vehicles. This air transportability provides a critical advantage in terms of rapid deployment and maneuverability.
Speed and Effectiveness: Capable of a range of 17 kilometers at sea level, the BORAN can be set up and made ready to fire in less than one minute. It also offers a high rate of fire, capable of firing six rounds per minute.
Unique Feature: A key capability that sets BORAN apart from its competitors is its ability to fire while on the move. This minimizes the system’s post-firing repositioning time, thereby enhancing its survivability.
BORAN has been successfully serving in the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces since 2021.
New European Exports on the Horizon
Following successful field tests in North Macedonia, MKE is actively engaged in export negotiations with several countries regarding the BORAN howitzer. In particular, an export to another European country is planned in the near future. This demonstrates that BORAN is attracting strong interest in the global market and is making significant contributions to Turkey’s defense industry export goals.
