Despite all these developments, there was another stand that kept drawing attention—a special section showcasing products from the Ministry of National Defense's R&D Center. MSB R&D is actually one of those units whose name has been barely heard until now. The products on display had never been revealed to the public before.
But this wasn't just about being seen for the first time. The products at the MSB R&D stand were significantly superior to their counterparts developed by other countries. Some even featured details like names and stock numbers, indicating that they had already been inducted into inventory. Ankara had progressed quietly and steadily, and now decided to share the results of 12 years of intense work with the public.
PROCESS COMPLETED IN 80% OF THE PRODUCTS
Within the scope of IDEF 2025, the MSB R&D Center showcased 44 products. Throughout the development process of these products—from start to finish—engineers, military personnel, and scientists worked in close collaboration.
Even though the public had not previously heard much about this center or its work, there's another striking statistic: 80% of the systems and munitions displayed at the fair have already passed critical stages such as qualification and certification. In clearer terms, these products are ready for operational use.
The remaining 20% of the products have already completed laboratory testing. Field testing has reportedly begun for these as well. This indicates that these products, too, will be fully ready for operational use in the not-so-distant future.
GAZAP, NEB, AND MORE
Among the most striking products showcased by the MSB R&D Center at the fair were GAZAP and the Penetrating Bomb (NEB). For the first time, the public learned that Türkiye had successfully developed and achieved such impressive results with these two types of munitions using its own domestic capabilities.
To illustrate: during NEB's firing tests, it advanced nearly 90 meters through rocky terrain. On a horizontal axis, the impact was observed at 160 meters. In another critical test—concrete penetration—it managed to pierce through 7 meters of concrete. For context, existing NEB models and NATO-standard equivalents typically penetrate only around 2.4 meters of concrete.
One of the most widely shared test footage products in recent days, GAZAP, also bears the signature of the MSB R&D Center. It is essentially a 2,000-pound aerial bomb, part of the MK series. Inside, it contains nearly 10,000 fragments, which are rapidly dispersed upon detonation.
These fragments result in a density of 10.6 fragments per square meter, which is nearly three times the impact of a standard MK 84 bomb. This makes GAZAP a highly effective and lethal area weapon, showcasing Türkiye's growing sophistication in precision and fragmentation-based munitions.
All of these fragments are dispersed within a radius of approximately 1 kilometer, impacting everything within that area. Moreover, GAZAP incorporates a special and distinct material not commonly used in standard munitions. This enables it to generate a much stronger pressure effect than usual.
The result? GAZAP leaves nothing standing in its target zone—it delivers overwhelming destructive force, combining wide-area fragmentation with intense blast pressure for maximum effectiveness.
Of course, there's another side to the coin—cost. The munitions we're talking about are extremely expensive, and once expended, replacing them is quite challenging.
Ankara, through MSB R&D, aims to develop a final product that is cheaper, more effective, and can be produced quickly. This approach not only ensures sustainability in supply but also strengthens Türkiye's strategic independence in defense manufacturing.
WE'LL BE HEARING MORE ABOUT MSB R&D
At the center's stand, visitors could see unmanned naval vehicles, MK series bombs, howitzers, corner-firing devices, and much more. At this point, one of the most important questions to consider is why MSB R&D has emerged so prominently only now. Looking at the test results of the products, it's clear that all these developments have granted Ankara a very serious deterrent power.
Within the industry, the prevailing view is that Türkiye gave a concise demonstration of what it can achieve overall at IDEF 2025, with a particular focus on MSB R&D's capabilities. This signals that MSB R&D will continue to play a crucial role in the country's defense advancements going forward.
The products showcased for the first time at IDEF 2025, the weapons and systems put on display, and the brand-new platforms announced for development all seem set to continue sparking conversation in the period ahead…
