Turkey Puts New Naval Torpedo And Missile Systems Into Mass Production
The Turkish Defense Industry Agency (SSB) has signed mass-production contracts with Roketsan for the AKYA heavy torpedo, ATMACA anti-ship missile, and SAPAN air defense missile as part of the “Naval Torpedo and Missile Systems” program. The signing ceremony took place at the Defense Industry Agency headquarters in Ankara, attended by Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, President of Defense Industries Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu, and defense industry representatives.
In his speech at the signing ceremony, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler stated:
“Turkey is now the production base of critical technologies with its technological infrastructure, production capacity and engineering capabilities. It is also a matter of pride that the brand value of our defense industry products in the international market is increasing day by day… Today, our domestic and national submarine torpedo AKYA, for which we have taken an important step towards mass production, our national cruise missile ATMACA and our highly effective SAPAN missile are among the newest products of our work in this field. These products will make great contributions to our navy in its missions in our territorial waters and international waters.”
President of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün added: “Thanks to the AKYA torpedo, ATMACA and SAPAN weapon systems, our Naval Forces Command will be able to prove its power even in the farthest corner of the Blue Homeland, will enable it to find a place in the field as a deterrent force in the region.”
The AKYA Torpedo
Akya is a new generation heavy torpedo designed by Roketsan to replace the German DM2A4 and US Mk46 torpedoes in the Turkish Naval Forces’ inventory. The torpedo, which can engage various types of submarines as well as surface targets, is 7 meters long and weighs 1,200 kilograms. The torpedoes include an external guidance capability via fiber optic cable, as well as an Active/Passive Sonar head with Counter-Counter Measure capabilities and wake homing. Akya has a range of approximately 50 kilometers and a maximum speed of more than 45 knots.
The Atmaca Anti-Ship Missile (AShM)
ATMACA is Turkey’s first domestically produced anti-ship missile, designed in collaboration with Roketsan, Aselsan, and ARMERKOM (Research Center Command) to replace the US-made Boeing RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles in the Turkish Navy’s inventory.
According to the information provided by Roketsan, this high-precision anti-ship missile developed for surface warfare operations is suitable for deployment on fast-moving boats, frigates, and corvettes. The missile has superskimming capabilities, making it resistant to countermeasures. It has target update, retargeting, and mission abort capabilities, as well as an advanced 3D guidance mission planning system. ATMACA is effective against both fixed and mobile anti-surface warfare (ASuW) targets. It is weatherproof and adaptable for all mission types. ATMACA accurately locates its target using its active radar seeker, GPS, INSYS, barometric altimeter and radar altimeter capabilities. ATMACA can also threaten targets beyond line of sight, thanks to its 220 km range, high-explosive fragmentation warhead equivalent to 88 kg TNT, and data link capabilities. The missile’s data link capabilities allow for features such as target update, re-attack, and mission abort.
The SAPAN Air Defense Missile
The Sapan air defense missile is a version of the HİSAR-RF Missile used in the HİSAR-O+ Air Defense System, adapted for naval platforms. Sapan is launched from MİDLAS (National Vertical Launch System), which has been integrated into the TCG Istanbul (F-515) frigate, which has recently been put into service by Turkish Naval Forces. The missile, which can engage air targets at a range of more than 35 kilometers, will help protect MİLGEM I class frigates against threats such as fighters, UAVs, helicopters and cruise missiles.