Turkey’s Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) has announced the start of mass production of the BALKIN naval radar decoy system, following the successful completion of live-fire trials.
Unveiled at the IDEF 2025 defence exhibition, the 130 mm BALKIN system is designed to enhance the survivability of warships against radar-guided missiles. It provides wide-area electromagnetic protection and generates a strong radar signature to mislead incoming threats.
The system operates by launching specialised payloads that detonate in the air, dispersing particles to form a dense radar-reflective cloud. This artificial radar target confuses hostile missiles, preventing them from accurately identifying and locking onto the ship’s true position.
According to MKE, the transition to serial production marks a strategic milestone, reducing reliance on foreign defence technologies while strengthening Turkey’s domestic industrial base.
