We have the story of the granting of Turkish T-155 Firtina self-propelled howitzers (with a 155 mm gun) to Ukraine heard since last summer, when it was said from the Kiev side that “we are also waiting for this guy”. To date, however, the specific system has not appeared in Ukraine, nor has any announcement been made.
Russian sources now speculate that the issue will be re-heated in Erdogan’s upcoming visit to the US in May to meet with Joe Biden. Where Ankara, in Kiev’s great need for arms and ammunition, has a lot to offer, but with the appropriate trade-offs, either financially (eg with the US funding the howitzer concession)either through the transfer of know-how or the opening of markets.
Turkey currently has around 300 Firtinas, having also presented a second, upgraded version of them. It can also supply Ukraine with a volume of corresponding ammunition (Turkish companies are already involved in the American production of 155 mm projectiles).
Turkey: Receives new Firtina self-propelled guns – the first 6 of a total of 140
Until today, Turkey has sold or ceded to Ukraine dozens of unmanned Bayraktar TB2, not clear how many (35 to over 50 are reported), some as an initial purchase package before 2022, some as a donor, or at a low price after the invasion, along with MAM-class munitions. Some 30 Bayraktar Minis have also been donated.
They are still given 200 BMC Kirpi armored vehicles, Cobra wheeled vehicles, unknown amount of infantry weapons ammunition, including machine guns, 155 mm artillery shells (100,000 reported), generators, uniforms, anti-tank missiles, etc. However, if Firtina is also granted/sold, then Ankara will move to another “staircase” of supporters of Ukraine, as we are now talking about heavy war material.
