The ALPAY mine clearance system creates a 10-meter corridor with just one explosion.
MKE introduces ALPAY: using a rocket with a range of 200 m to deploy a 400 kg explosive charge, creating a 10 m x 100 m corridor with 99% reliability; installed in 15 minutes by 2 people, operates in all weather conditions.
MKE announced the ALPAY mine clearance system, capable of opening a safe corridor approximately 10 meters wide and 100 meters long with a single detonation, boasting a 99% reliability rate. The system uses a rocket to launch an explosive wire up to 200 meters, detonating 400 kg of explosives to neutralize mines buried up to 1 meter underground. According to the manufacturer, ALPAY can be deployed quickly by two personnel in 15 minutes and operates in all weather conditions.
Overview and intended use
ALPAY, developed by Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi (MKE) using domestic resources, aims to ensure that mechanized units can advance through minefields quickly and safely. The system has been deployed to border areas to support marches through minefields, according to MKE.
Specifications and operating mechanism
ALPAY is a Mine Clearing Line Charge system that uses rockets to tow a detonating cord along the ground. Upon detonation, the shock wave travels along the cord, detonating mines or disabling detonation mechanisms within the corridor.
| Category | Value/Details |
|---|---|
| Deployment method | Explosive wire-launching rocket |
| Range | Up to 200 m |
| Explosive amount | 400 kg (military standard) |
| Mine clearance depth | Up to 1 meter below ground level |
| Corridor dimensions | Approximately 10 meters wide and 100 meters long. |
| Reliability | 99% (according to MKE) |
| Setup time | Approximately 15 minutes |
| Operations personnel | 2 people |
| Platform | Mounted on a trailer, towed by an armored vehicle, tank, or military truck. |
| Operating conditions | All weather |
Deployment and field operation
- Quick setup: Pre-configured on the trailer shortens the time to position and prepare to fire the explosive wire.
- Mobility: Can be towed by various vehicles (armored vehicles, tanks, military trucks), increasing flexibility in formation.
- Activation procedure: After the missile carries the explosive wire to the target location, the detonator is activated to create a mine-free corridor for the forces to pass through.
- Support for advance: The objective is to quickly open a path for mechanized units to move continuously through the minefield.
Operational significance
With the ability to create a 10m x 100m corridor in a single blast, ALPAY aims to significantly reduce downtime, avoiding troop disruptions when encountering minefields. Its 99% reliability (according to MKE) and all-weather operation make the system suitable for breakthrough clearing missions in diverse climates and terrains.
Deployment via trailer and a minimal operating crew (2 people) allows for the integration of ALPAY into engineering-mechanized units without requiring major organizational changes. This helps maintain the pace of the offensive while reducing risks to forces approaching minefields.
Notes on data and scope of use
- The above specifications, corridor dimensions, and reliability data are published by MKE.
- The disabling capability is stated up to a depth of 1 meter below ground; beyond this range, the article does not make inferences.
- MKE stated that ALPAY has been delivered to border areas and has export potential; the article does not offer any further assessment beyond the source information.
Overall, ALPAY represents an approach focused on speeding minefield clearance, reducing direct contact with explosives, and supporting the maintenance of troop mobility rates based on manufacturer-provided data.
