During an interview with Ukrinform on July 5, 2023, Oleksiy Gromov, Deputy Chief of the Main Operational Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, discussed several topics, including the Ukrainian offensive, military operations, aid and weapons support from allied countries including a possible delivery of Firtina 155mm self-propelled howitzers from Türkiye.
Within the discussion of weapons that have exceeded expectations, one specific phrase drew attention: “At the same time, the arrival of new systems that have not yet been used by units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – such as Archer, Firtina – is expected.” It is currently unknown which generation of the Turkish self-propelled 155mm howitzer Firtina is anticipated to be seen in Ukraine.
The Firtina 155mm howitzer is an important artillery system used by the Turkish armed forces. Its development began in 1995, and it entered service in 2001. The Firtina howitzer has been deployed by the Turkish army in various operations, including those against PKK militants in northern Iraq from late 2007 to January 2008, near the Syrian-Turkish border in 2012, and during the Jarabulus offensive in 2016 and the Afrin offensive in 2018.