A delegation led by Pavlo Palisa, First Deputy Chief of Staff of the President of Ukraine, visited Turkey and held meetings with Turkey's National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler. During the visit, detailed briefings were provided on the TOLGA Close-Range Air Defense System developed by MKE during discussions with the Defense Industry Agency (SSB) and MKE. In a statement posted on social media, Palisa noted that strengthening air defense systems remains one of Ukraine's top priorities.

The MKE TOLGA is an integrated system providing multi-layered defense architecture against unmanned aerial vehicles. In its first defense layer, radar, electro-optical sensors, and electronic jamming systems detect threats and conduct soft-kill operations up to 10 kilometers. When electronic jamming proves insufficient, the system's hard-kill layer activates, with MKE-produced 12.7 mm, 20 mm, and 35 mm weapon systems and specially developed particulate anti-drone munitions physically neutralizing target threats.

MKE is an important actor in the Turkish defense industry ecosystem, continuing to increase localization rates in ammunition and weapon systems. The TOLGA system is significant in demonstrating MKE's design and production capabilities. The system provides centralized management through mobile and fixed Command Control Units, can be remotely operated, and offers manual, semi-autonomous, and fully autonomous operation modes, enabling rapid adaptation to different operational requirements. These capabilities demonstrate Turkish defense industry's ability to develop indigenous solutions against drone threats.

The TOLGA system's munition components create a metal particle cloud around the target, providing high hit probability. The 35 mm particulate anti-drone munition is effective up to 3,000 meters, the 20 mm version up to 1,000 meters, and the 12.7 mm version up to 300 meters, offering effective engagement ranges. Two PMT-76 Platform Machine Gun systems integrated onto the Mobile Vehicle Platform (MAP DUAL) equipped with particulate anti-drone munitions provide effective counter-air capabilities. Future integration of laser weapon systems and the ENFAL-17 missile will elevate the system's multi-layered defense capabilities to advanced levels.

In the global defense industry context, multi-layered defense systems against unmanned aerial vehicles are being developed to NATO standards. MKE TOLGA provides an indigenous alternative alongside systems such as Patriot and NASAMS in close-range air defense. Ukraine's examination of this system demonstrates interest in Turkish defense technology and potential cooperation opportunities. Palisa noted that the discussions were substantive and productive, expressing appreciation for the Turkish partners' openness and constructive dialogue approach.