Turkish defence firm starts exporting heavy machine guns designed to counter drones

Turkish defence firm Samsun Yurt Savunma (SYS) has begun overseas shipments of its CANiK M3 FALCON, a next-generation heavy machine gun developed to destroy drones and unmanned aerial vehicles from helicopters, said the company’s chair.

The 12.7×99 mm heavy machine gun was showcased for the first time at this week’s SAHA 2026 International Defence and Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul, where Turkish defence firms are unveiling new systems and signing international cooperation agreements.

Speaking to Anadolu at the fair, SYS Chair Zafer Aral said the CANiK M3 FALCON was designed specifically for the changing battlefield, where low-cost drones and loitering munitions have become a major operational threat.

“The CANiK M3 FALCON is a design developed entirely against drones, against Shahed-type drones, to neutralise drones from helicopters,” he said. “It is currently being used effectively. The first shipments were made to Pakistan and Azerbaijan.”

Aral said the system allows helicopters to respond to drones detected by radar, noting that Shahed-type drones can fly at around 250 kilometres per hour, a speed that helicopters can match.

“When radar detects these drones or UAVs, helicopters take off, open their doors and can neutralise them completely with FALCONs,” he said.

He added that the concept has already moved from display to operational use.

“This new war concept is being exhibited for the first time and is also being used for the first time,” he said. “This need emerged recently, and a solution has been produced by using helicopters and FALCONs.”

‘More than 40 FALCONs to Azerbaijan’

Aral said demand for the system emerged after recent conflicts underlined the need for mobile, cost-effective counter-drone solutions.

He said the weapon can reach a firing rate of 1,200 rounds per minute from helicopters and was adapted for aerial use after requests were received from abroad.

“The weapon already existed. We developed it and made it suitable for use comfortably from a helicopter,” he said.

According to Aral, shipments of more than 40 CANiK M3 FALCONs have started for integration into more than 20 helicopters in Azerbaijan. Initial products have also been sent to Pakistan.