The Turkish defence industry has developed a next-generation countermeasure system against FPV drones and kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles, which are becoming increasingly common on the modern battlefield. Digitest, a company working in the field of close air defence, has expanded its counter-drone product family with a new platform called GATREX. The system was designed to intercept low-cost, fast and sudden-attack drone threats before they reach their targets.

Digitest Foreign Relations Specialist Berk Demirkoparan stated that GATREX is a hybrid system designed to serve in close air defence layers. Developed after a long research and development process, the platform has a hybrid structure that can operate with both gasoline and battery power. This gives the system advantages over conventional battery-powered drones in terms of mission endurance and operational flexibility.

GATREX’s technical features place it in a notable position among counter-drone solutions. The platform can reportedly reach a speed of 90 kilometers per hour and remain airborne for up to 75 minutes. These characteristics make GATREX suitable not only for fixed point defence but also for protecting mobile units and high-value assets.

The most striking component of the system is its onboard Gatling weapon system. According to Demirkoparan, the Gatling system carried by GATREX can fire 3,000 rounds per minute and has a 3,000-round capacity with a single ammunition box. This high rate of fire allows the system to create a dense fire curtain against small, fast-maneuvering FPV and kamikaze drones that attempt to reach targets in a short time.

In its current operational concept, GATREX is controlled by two operators. One operator manages the drone’s flight, while the other controls the weapon system. However, Digitest is also working on an artificial intelligence-supported operating model for a more advanced version of the system. Once this development is completed, GATREX is expected to be operated by a single user, increasing ease of use and mission efficiency in the field.

The company has completed GATREX’s firing, flight and integrated armed flight tests. Digitest officials state that the system has passed the required testing and qualification stages and has reached mission-ready status. This shows that GATREX is not merely a concept platform but a mature counter-drone solution ready for field use.

GATREX is intended to operate in the front layer of defence to protect high-value systems. Modern air defence architectures are no longer limited to missiles and radar systems; they also require flexible solutions against low-altitude drones with small radar signatures and high maneuverability. Armed interceptor drones such as GATREX are therefore seen as complementary elements of close air defence.

As drone warfare becomes increasingly decisive on the front line, GATREX stands out as an important platform strengthening Türkiye’s counter-drone capabilities. With its hybrid propulsion structure, long endurance, high speed and Gatling weapon system capable of 3,000 rounds per minute, GATREX offers a rapid-response solution against FPV and kamikaze drone threats. The system reflects the Turkish defence industry’s innovative approach to close air defence and counter-drone technologies.