By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Azemedia new logo
  • Home
  • COP29
  • Opinion
  • News
    • Economy
    • Energy
    • Climate and Ecology
  • Culture
  • Diaspora
  • Interview
  • Science
  • Logistics-Transport
  • Gender
  • History
  • Defense
  • Karabakh
Aze.MediaAze.Media
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • News
  • Economy
  • Climate and Ecology
  • Energy
  • Opinion
  • Culture
  • Gender
  • Interview
  • Science
  • Logistics-Transport
  • History
  • Defense
  • Karabakh
  • Diaspora
  • Who we are
Follow US
© 2021 Aze.Media – Daily Digest
Aze.Media > Defense > New meets old: Aselsan’s 30mm SMASH RWS on Azerbaijani Stenka Patrol Boats
Defense

New meets old: Aselsan’s 30mm SMASH RWS on Azerbaijani Stenka Patrol Boats

AzeMedia
By AzeMedia Published December 17, 2021 10 Min Read
Ezgif 6 4564f8bbf790

Instead, Azerbaijan has diverted considerable funds to modernising its Coast Guard, acquiring six Israeli Sa’ar 62 offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) and six Shaldag Mk V patrol boats fitted with Spike NLOS (25km range) and Spike-ER (8km range) anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) for its State Border Service. [1] Interestingly, the Azerbaijani Navy does not use anti-ship missiles (AShMs) aboard any of its vessels, operating purely as a patrol force in the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Rather than operating corvettes or fast attack craft, the Azerbaijani Navy utilises a number of Soviet-era patrol boats, landing ships and minesweepers. The navy also continues to operate a single Petya-class frigate built in the 1960s, which however only boasts gun, torpedo and ASW armament. More recently, the Azerbaijani Navy was strengthened through the transfer of numerous ships from the State Border Service (SBS). These consisted of Soviet Stenka class patrol boats and large tugs armed with anything from AA guns to machine guns. Although increasing the ship inventory of the navy at least twofold, these vessels did little to introduce novel capabilities to the navy.

Currently not possessing any ships that can be fitted with AShMs, the Azerbaijani Navy has instead sought to increase its combat capabilities through the installation of heavier armament on some of its ageing naval ships. This has so far included the replacement of 30mm AK-230 gun turrets with other armament such as World War II-era 37mm 70K AA guns, feats that however do little to meaningfully expand on the firepower of each ship. By contrast, a more reasonable upgrade has come through the recent modernisation of at least one Stenka class patrol boat with a 30mm SMASH remote weapon station (RWS) from Turkey’s Aselsan.

The Azerbaijani Navy is currently thought to operate four Stenka class patrol boats (G 122, G 123, G 124 and G 125), which it received from the SBS after the commissioning of the Israeli-designed OPVs and patrol boats. Initially armed with two 30mm AK-230s guided by a MR-104 fire control radar at the front and rear of the ship, at least some Stenkas saw either their front or rear AK-230 gun turret replaced by a 37mm 70K AA gun. Although little capable in its intended role by modern standards, the 37mm 70K is ideally suited for firing warning shots across the bow of intercepted vessels. G 124 is the only vessel so far known to have been equipped with a 30mm SMASH RWS. Intriguingly, the SMASH has both been seen installed instead of the front AK-230 gun turret as well as the rear AK-230 turret. When not in active use, the SMASH is covered by a tarpaulin for additional protection against the elements. [2]

The SMASH RWS is currently the most popular naval RWS in the world, having been acquired by countries like Croatia, Malaysia, Qatar, Bangladesh, the Philippines and now Azerbaijan. Qatar is by far the largest operator of the SMASH, having purchased the system to equip most of its (Turkish built) coast guard vessels. An equally large customer of Aselsan’s RWS is Turkmenistan, which has no less than 28 naval ships equipped with a total of 38 25mm STOP RWS’s. Turkmenistan is also the world’s first operator of Aselsan’s 35mm Gökdeniz close-in weapon system (CIWS).

In addition to equipping brand new equipment such as the naval vessels acquired by Turkmenistan, Aselsan has also had significant success with the integration of its EO/IR sensors and weapon systems on a range of older ground, air and sea platforms. A recent example of this was a deal with Ukraine’s Motor-Sich to jointly modernise Mi-8/17 and Mi-24 (attack helicopters) for Ukraine and potential export clients, with Aselsan supplying the EO/IR sensors and integrating modern Turkish precision-guided munitions. [3] Another such instance again involved Turkmenistan, which has upgraded some of its BTR-80 APCs with SARP-DUAL RWS from Aselsan. [4] [5]

Turkmenistan’s Deniz Han corvette. Currently the most powerful naval vessel in the Caspian Sea, the ship boasts a number of weapon and electronic systems from Aselsan including a 35mm Gökdeniz CIWS and two 25mm STOP RWS.

The SMASH RWS is equipped with a 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster II cannon capable of firing up to 200 rounds per minute thanks to its dual-feed capability. A total of 175 rounds can be carried in two large magazines on either side of the gun. The RWS is fully stabilised, enabling accurate targeting against moving targets even in rough seas. As opposed to the fixed sight systems used on the 12.7mm STAMP and 25mm STOP RWS’s, the SMASH comes equipped with a stabilised EO/IR sensor that can track targets without having to rotate the entire weapons system.

The older version of the 30mm SMASH RWS that has meanwhile entered service with at least five countries.

It is unknown if the acquisition of more SMASH RWS’s by the Azerbaijani Navy is currently planned. The transfer of numerous vessels from the State Border Service likely indicates that the Azerbaijani Navy has to make do with whatever it currently operates for the foreseeable future. Thus, the navy might be forced to upgrade its vessels again and again to retain some form of combat relevance in a Sea that is increasingly swarming with AShM-equipped ships. With at least four Stenka class patrol boats in service, there certainly are enough opportunities for SMASH RWS’s to show their worth.

Aselsan has achieved widespread success with its products across the world. This has been no different in the Caspian Sea, where two navies now sail with warships equipped with Aselsan’s products. The outlook for Turkish naval defence products appears bright, with Azerbaijan likely one day choosing Turkish warships designs to modernise its own navy and Kazakhstan perhaps investing in Turkish ships as well. These will undoubtedly be equipped with products made by Aselsan as well. While armament like the SMASH RWS is certainly less eye catching than the actual ships it’s installed on, it too is an important indicator of ongoing modernisation of these Central Asian countries.

[1] INFOGRAPHICS OF COAST GUARD VESSELS #4: Azerbaijan and Colombia https://www.navalanalyses.com/2017/03/infographics-of-coast-guard-vessels-4.html

[2] https://i.postimg.cc/nrqg7HvB/69.jpg

[3] Aselsan to Supply EO Targeting Pods, AAMs for Modernization of Ukraine’s Mi-8 Helicopter Fleet https://en.defence-ua.com/news/aselsan_to_supply_eo_targeting_pods_aams_for_modernization_of_ukraines_mi_8_helicopter_fleet-2004.html

[4] https://postimg.cc/HJR0QxC3

[5] SARP-DUAL Remote Controlled Stabilized Weapon System https://www.aselsan.com.tr/en/capabilities/land-and-weapon-systems/remote-controlled-weapon-systems-land/sarpdual-remote-controlled-stabilized-weapon-system

Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans

Oryxspioenkop

You Might Also Like

Türkiye-Pakistan-Azerbaijan trilateral defence cooperation

Serbian troops train in Azerbaijan

Armenia will receive what Pakistan has already torn to shreds

Israeli Ministry of Defense: Hasanov visits Tel Aviv to strengthen cooperation

Azerbaijan and Iran launch joint exercises on liberated territories

AzeMedia December 17, 2021 December 17, 2021

New articles

Dik 1536x1024 1 750x375
Azerbaijan and Israel: Strategic partnership in an era of tectonic change
Interview May 24, 2025
Pakistan jf 17 (modified)
Türkiye-Pakistan-Azerbaijan trilateral defence cooperation
Defense May 24, 2025
6817641c96d6e6817641c96d6f17463634206817641c96d6c6817641c96d6d
Mutual benefit draws relations between Damascus and Baku
Opinion May 23, 2025
Fszpqenxwaa sgn
Iran launches attack on Azerbaijan-Israel ties: ‘Two nations, one state’
Opinion May 23, 2025
Israel Azerbaijan Flag 220323
Azerbaijan’s role in the Abraham Accords
Opinion May 23, 2025
Ilham aliyev met with syrian president ahmed al sharaa 2
Azerbaijan’s emerging role in post-Assad Syria
Opinion May 23, 2025
Solar2
Nobel energy moves forward with Major Solar Projects in Azerbaijan
Energy News May 23, 2025
Facts presented regarding Armenia’s commitment to military intervention on Azerbaijani territory
News May 22, 2025
57d0073364414 fb big 720
Visit of Ukraine’s Foreign Minister to Azerbaijan: Much to discuss, much to prepare for
Opinion May 22, 2025
Putin aliyev august 2024 1536x948.jpg
Azerbaijan-Russia relations remain stuck in airplane crash crisis
Opinion May 22, 2025

You Might Also Like

Pakistan jf 17 (modified)

Türkiye-Pakistan-Azerbaijan trilateral defence cooperation

May 24, 2025 13 Min Read
852658 src

Serbian troops train in Azerbaijan

May 20, 2025 1 Min Read
Screenshot 698

Armenia will receive what Pakistan has already torn to shreds

May 19, 2025 4 Min Read
Photo 2025 05 19 16 30 15

Israeli Ministry of Defense: Hasanov visits Tel Aviv to strengthen cooperation

May 19, 2025 1 Min Read
Ebc096e48582a8f641737c2322eba732

Azerbaijan and Iran launch joint exercises on liberated territories

May 19, 2025 1 Min Read
Minoborony

Representatives of the Ministries of Defense of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan met in Baku

April 25, 2025 1 Min Read
44 4

Cooperation between the Navies of Azerbaijan and Turkey continues to develop

April 17, 2025 1 Min Read
22 46

Baku and Rome discuss cooperation between the Air Forces of the two countries

April 17, 2025 1 Min Read

Useful links

426082d1 a9e4 4ac5 95d4 4e84024eb314 pojkz91103g6zqfh8kiacu662b2tn9znit7ssu9ekg
Ab65ed96 2f4a 4220 91ac f70a6daaf659 pojkz67iflcc0wjkp1aencvsa5gq06ogif9cd0dl34
96e40a2b 5fed 4332 83c6 60e4a89fd4d0 pojkz836t9ewo4gue23nscepgx7gfkvx6okbbkasqo
759bde00 a375 4fa1 bedc f8e9580ceeca pq8mvb9kwubqf6bcadpkq5mz16nayr162k3j2084cg
aze-media-logo-ag1

We are a unique political and socio-cultural digest offering exclusive materials, translations from Azerbaijani media, and reprints of articles from around the world about Azerbaijan.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookies Policy

Email: editor@aze.media

© 2021 Aze.Media – Daily Digest
aze-media-logo1 aze-media-logo-ag1
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?