LIMA 2025 – Aselsan’s SMASH 200/30, a remotely operated and stabilised naval solution for maritime defence

At Lima 2025, ASELSAN promoted its SMASH 200/30, a remotely controlled and stabilised naval weapon system designed for coastal and maritime defence

At the Langkawi exhibition Aselsan showcased its SMASH 200/30 remotely controlled weapon station (RCWS) which is being delivered to Malaysia and is promoted in the same geographic area.

A stabilised platform, it maintains sighting despite the ship’s movements enabling accurate firing. The 30 mm Mk44S Bushmaster II is fed via two separate ammunition lines, allowing the operator to select the type of 30×173 mm ammunition best fitted for the mission, using the remote operating panel. Ballistic data are automatically def into the ballistic computer, which also receives weather data and target range to automatically compute the ballistic equation, ensuring correct aiming. Surveillance and target acquisition is ensured day and night thanks to the electro-optical sensor suite, which also provides automatic target. The suite includes a thermal camera, a TV day camera and a laser rangefinder, and is stabilised independently from the gun.

The 30 mm Mk44S Bushmaster II main gun has a 200 rounds per minute rate of fire, each ammunition chute having a 100 rounds capacity. The SMASH 200/30 mass is under 1,400 kg (including gun and ammunition), typical mass being 1,250 kg (with 200 shells).

When using HEI-T ammunition, which have a 1,080 m/s muzzle velocity, the effective range is 5,100 metres. Gun elevation ranges from -20° to +70°, while the electro-optical sensors have a -30°/+80° elevation arc. The gun traverse is ±135° which becomes n x 360° when a slipring is fitted.

The SMASH 200/30 can be integrated with the ships combat management systems, while retaining a manual emergency mode, and is fitted with an embedded simulator for operator training. Thanks to its reduced footprint and mass it can be installed on several types of military and patrol vessels and has been sold to at least four countries in the Asian-Pacific region. The RCWS being an effective defence against asymmetric threats.

In 2017 Aselsan strengthened its presence in Malaysia by setting up a local subsidiary, Aselsan Malaysia SDN BHD, to accelerate its activities and closely monitor existing and future projects. The company has signed several cooperation agreements with Malaysia, particularly in the naval defence sector, but also for other systems such as radars, electro-optical surveillance systems and anti-drone systems.

Concerning specifically the SMASH 200/30, the company has already delivered or plans to deliver at least nine such systems to Malaysia to equip Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Royal Malaysian Navy vessels.

SMASH is also operational in other Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia and the Philippines.

Photos by J. Roukoz