PALEM is a tracked, electric and modular unmanned ground vehicle built by Ankara-based Tekatron for the Turkish Land Forces Command, and it is moving from trials into acceptance. According to project data released by the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) in September 2026, two vehicles have been accepted, a third is in field trials and six acceptances are planned by the end of 2026.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Builder | Tekatron (prime contractor) |
| User | Turkish Land Forces Command |
| Program | SSB Tracked Electric Modular UGV Development Project (PALEM) |
| Class | Medium Class, Level 2 UGV |
| Status | 2 accepted, 1 in field trials, 6 acceptances planned by end-2026 |
| Program start | 2023 (SSB contract) |
What is the PALEM?
The acronym stands for Paletli Elektrikli Modüler, or tracked, electric and modular, which neatly describes the design brief. SSB defines the requirement as a remotely operated vehicle able to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition across varied terrain and weather, while accepting different weapon systems and payloads.
In practice a single tracked chassis carries one of three mission kits: an ASELSAN SARP Dual remote weapon station with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, a SARP Dual with a 40 mm automatic grenade launcher (both with a coaxial 7.62 mm secondary gun), or a cargo basket for logistics.
Key features
SSB quotes a loaded weight of 2,650 kg, while Tekatron gives 2,050 kg for the bare platform and a 1,000 kg payload. The all-electric tracked vehicle reaches 18 km/h and runs for eight hours. Communications use RF and 4G/LTE, with a satellite option per the manufacturer, and the datalink range is 4,000 m. A mast-mounted surveillance system provides the sensors.
Tekatron cites STANAG 4569 Level 2 protection for critical components, and the vehicle can be moved by road, rail, sea and air, including CH-47 internal or external carriage. Ballistic protection for critical parts is not a given in this weight class.
Program, service and exports
The Land Forces Command is the sole announced user. Turkish press reports say PALEM took part in the EFES-2026 exercise. For the Turkish Army it fills the gap between lighter Level 1 robots such as HANÇER and BARKAN and heavier armored platforms. It is also one piece of a broader portfolio: SSB's note records that Esetron's TARIK kamikaze UGV completed trials with 28 vehicles and received a decision for 200 units on 13 May 2025.
There is no publicly announced export contract for PALEM as of September 2026. Its appearance at SAHA 2026 as the basis for a ROKETSAN missile carrier, presented to foreign delegations as a NATO-compatible solution, has nonetheless raised its international profile.
PALEM sits alongside Milrem Robotics' THeMIS and Rheinmetall's Mission Master. Its distinguishing combination is an all-electric tracked chassis, a choice of weapon or logistics kits and protection for critical components, all developed by a Turkish company.
Source: Envanter Medya