Turkish defense giant Roketsan is letting its newest robotic platform out on the battlefield.
Named KOZ, the unmanned ground system resembles a mechanical dog and can carry four guided munitions into high-risk areas. It operates autonomously or via remote control, with a two-hour mission endurance.
Its quadrupedal design helps it stay stable and maneuver across rough or uneven terrain.
The platform is intended to take on dangerous tasks such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and assault operations, keeping soldiers out of direct danger.
“The rising military conflicts and security crises in our region in recent years have once again highlighted the critical importance of advancing Turkey’s defense capabilities,” said Roketsan Chief Executive Officer Murat İkinci.
“As always, we remain committed to strengthening Turkey’s defense capacity in every sense by expanding our collaborations.”
KOZ recently made its public debut at the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) in Istanbul, where Roketsan positioned it as a tool for supporting Turkish forces in “enemy-dense” environments.
A Growing Autonomous Arsenal
KOZ is just one piece in Turkey’s expanding portfolio of homegrown defense technologies.
The country, home to NATO’s second largest standing army, allocated $25 billion to defense in 2024 and continues to ramp up investment in unmanned and AI-enabled systems.
Last year, Turkey reportedly fielded dozens of drones and nearly 300 combat aircraft. According to President Recep Tayyip Erdogǎn, over 80 percent of the country’s defense systems are now locally produced, helping generate more than $20 billion in sales.
From loitering munitions to robotic vehicles like KOZ, the country is betting big on autonomy. Between 2020 and 2024, Turkey ranked 11th in global arms exports, accounting for 1.7 percent of total volume.
