Tel aviv: A Turkish defense firm, Assan Group, unveiled a hybrid power pack for military vehicles, offering operational advantages and improved efficiency. The technology was introduced at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul.
According to Anadolu Agency, the 17th edition of the six-day defense fair IDEF, which started Tuesday, is being held simultaneously at various venues including the Istanbul Fair Center, Ataturk Airport, Wow Hotel, and Atakoy Marina. The event is organized by KFA Fairs with support from Turkey's Defense Industries Secretariat (SSB) and the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, with Anadolu as its global communication partner.
The new system is designed to replace conventional power packs used in 1000-horsepower tracked vehicles. Vehicle integration and field testing of the hybrid power pack, currently in the prototype phase, are planned to begin in the last quarter of 2025. The hybrid power pack is expected to lower operating and maintenance costs and offers multi-use capabilities due to its adaptability to different platforms.
Assan Group Power Pack Technical Leader Demirhan Manav highlighted that hybrid technology has been used in passenger vehicles for the last decade and has been applied to other platforms such as heavy-duty trucks, military vehicles, and mining trucks for about five years. Manav noted that hybrid technology is becoming more popular in military vehicles due to its cost-effectiveness, fuel efficiency, and quiet operation when required in the field.
Manav stated that the system will be actively used in tracked vehicles with 1,000 horsepower and above. He further emphasized that electric motors, internal combustion engines, and battery technology are the most important components in a hybrid powertrain. The technical suitability of hybrid platforms has increased significantly in recent years due to increased usage rates and cost reductions in the Asian market.
Manav explained that the hybrid powertrain developed by Assan could replace conventional applications and solve many user problems. He described it as operating similarly to the hybrid architecture found in passenger cars, where the internal combustion engine generates electrical energy via a generator, which is stored in batteries and then transferred to the electric drive unit to create motion.
The hybrid powertrain offers advantages such as quiet operation and rapid acceleration. Manav expressed the firm's aim to make this product available for use in vehicles from other manufacturers. He noted that they want the system to replace conventional power packs in modernization projects of armies worldwide, as conventional power packs are high-cost and have supply difficulties.
At IDEF 2025, discussions were held with domestic and international vehicle manufacturers, and preliminary agreements were signed. The product is developed to suit the power pack of the Firtina howitzer and will be adapted to other tracked and wheeled vehicles using a modular system advantage.