Overview

As the Turkish Army moves to a more modern Division-Centric structure, from the older Brigades, the importance of a Divisional Cavalry, is raised. At present, Turkish Brigades have an integral Cavalry unit, which varies in size. The new Division-centric structure will see the creation of fifteen new Cavalry Squadrons, which will provide Integrated Recon to the Division, as well as enable a Forward First Strike, skirmish, intelligence, and other roles typical to modern Cavalry, at the advanced end.

TAIRCS

Essentially a reinforced battalion-sized Squadron will serve as the DIVCAV. So far, so Orthodox. However, the "integrated" part is where these units will be shaped by true 21st Century combat realities. A 3d battlespace, with integral drone units, will work together with Mechanised and Dismounted Cavaliers, as well as Tanks, to provide an all-aspect Cavalry Squadron.

Within a Division, a TAIRCS Squadron will work directly for Division HQ, and be supported by a Cavalry Troop from each of the three Brigades. With better Recon, comes a better first strike, better fires generally, and better maneuver.

Structure

• TAIRCS HQ
• Tank Troop (14 x Altay MBT)
  • Troop HQ (2 x Altay MBT)
  • Tank Platoon (4 x Altay MBT)
  • Tank Platoon (4 x Altay MBT)
  • Tank Platoon (4 x Altay MBT)
• CFV Troop (18 x Tulpar IFV configured as Cavalry Fighting Vehicle)
  • Troop HQ (6 x CFV)
  • CFV Platoon (6 x CFV)
  • CFV Platoon (6 x CFV)
• CFV Troop (18 x Tulpar CFV)
  • Troop HQ (6 x CFV)
  • CFV Platoon (6 x CFV)
  • CFV Platoon (6 x CFV)
• Dismounted Cavalry Troop
  • Troop HQ
  • Dismounted Cavalry Platoon (36 x Cavaliers)
  • Dismounted Cavalry Platoon (36 x Cavaliers)
  • Dismounted Cavalry Platoon (36 x Cavaliers)
• Drone Troop
  • HQ
  • Drone Flight (6 x Bayraktar TB2)
  • Mobile Drone Command Platoon (6 x Tulpar Drone Command Post)
  • Scout Platoon (6 x Tulpar CFV)
  • Repair and Recovery Platoon

Thus the Squadron will have 56 principle vehicles, 6 drones, and some other trucks and Recovery vehicles, which is substantial - an ordinary Turkish Cavalry Squadron would have about 42 vehicles, plus Dismounted troops only. The Dismounts will have their own mobile comms, miniature UAVs, snipers, and other key forward observer roles.

The addition of a Platoon of conventional Tulpar IFVs in the Drone Squadron allows for all of the Dismounted Cavaliers to board vehicles and to be fully Mechanised, where suitable.

Tulpar CFV and DCP

The Tulpar IFV is already in LRIP, and will be purchased in large numbers to support six Armoured Divisions. The CFV will be prototyped in 2025, with LRIP in 2027, as with the DCP, and the fifteen TAIRC Squdrons, and corresponding Cavalry troops in Brigades, will be most of the production, with additional units in support of HQs, Engineers, and Artillery. The common vehicle architecture is designed to keep the costs down as much as possible - the Tulpar is large, and thus suitable for being adapted for these multiple purposes.