Khan Short-range ballistic missile (Turkey)
Channel: Main Battle Tank
Date: 23/01/2023

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The Khan is a new Turkish ballistic missile system. Khan is an international name, while locally this system is known as the Kaan. It was first publicly revealed in 2017. During the last couple of years Turkey made several attempts to purchase short-range ballistic missiles form NATO countries. However the NATO condemned these potential purchases, causing Turkey to look for the missiles from non-NATO countries and to produce them domestically. Some sources report that this Turkish ballistic missile system was adopted in 2017. It was first used operationally in 2019 when at least one missile was launched from Turkish territory against targets in Iraq.

   Even though the Khan is a Turkish system, major components were developed abroad or came form other countries. The missile was developed in China and high-mobility wheeled chassis comes from Belarus. The Khan is essentially a Turkish license-produced version of the Chinese M20 system.

   The Khan launcher vehicle carries 2 containers with short-range ballistic missiles. Some sources call these missiles the Bora. These are Chinese BP-12A missiles, license-produced in Turkey by Roketsan. Missiles are launched vertically and have a range of 280 km. Missiles are fitted with 470 kg conventional warheads. Several types of warheads are available. The Chinese DF-12A ballistic missile was specially designed to be just short of the 300 km range and 500 kg payload in order to overcome export restrictions set by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Externally the missile has some similarities with the Israeli LORA.

   The main role of the Khan ballistic missiles is to engage concentrations of troops and armored vehicles, as well as other important targets, such as airfields, command posts, air defense batteries and support facilities. In some cases this ballistic missile can be used as an alternative to precision bombing.

   The missile is fitted with GPS and Inertial Navigation System (INS). The missile is likely to be accurate accurate within 30 to 50 meters. The missile can be re-targeted during flight. This capability allows to engage moving targets. Launch preparation time is around 12 minutes. Both missiles can be aimed at different targets and be fired in ripple mode.

   Missiles are factory-fitted into these containers and can be stored for years and do not require additional maintenance. Containers protect the missiles from direct hits, environment, and NBC threats.

   In terms of performance and capabilities the Turkish Khan is equivalent to the Russian Iskander-E system.

   The Khan is based on a new Belarusian MZKT-7909 heavy high-mobility chassis with 8x8 configuration. This vehicle is powered by a TMZ-84631.10 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 525 hp. Engine is mated to an automatic transmission. The Khan launcher can travel on all kinds of roads and off-road. The launcher vehicle is capable of rapid deployment.

   The Khan is operated by a crew of 4. Vehicle is fitted with a 4-door armored cab, which provides protection for the crew against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters.

   Some years ago a Turkish BMC company was developing an indigenous 8x8 special wheeled chassis, the BMC 525-44 that could be used for military roles and carry various missiles. However so far this chassis has not reached production. Instead the Khan was based on a foreign chassis. Interestingly it is not the first time when Turkey obtained Belarusian heavy high mobility vehicles. In the early 2000s Turkish Army obtained a total of 130 Belarusian MZKT-74295 tank transporters.

   The Khan launcher vehicle is supported by an associated reloading vehicle. It is based on the same 8x8 MZKT chassis and is fitted with a crane. It carriers 2 containers with reload missiles.

   A Khan battery is composed of a couple of launcher vehicles (possibly 3) with ballistic missiles, associated reloading vehicles, command vehicles and possibly some other support vehicles.