ANKARA,Turkiye- In a significant milestone for Türkiye’s defense capabilities, the nation announced on Sunday the successful test of its first domestically produced maritime missile, which hit its target with precision in a groundbreaking trial utilizing Türkiye’s inaugural indigenous turbojet engine.
The test, conducted in Türkiye’s northernmost province of Sinop, aimed to validate the domestically developed subsystems and components within the framework of the Atmaca missile project, spearheaded by Roketsan under the auspices of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB).
A video released by the SSB showcased the Atmaca missile being launched from a mobile platform before striking its target in the Black Sea, marking a triumph for Turkey’s defense innovation.
The missile was equipped with Türkiye’s first domestically manufactured turbojet engine, the KTJ-3200, developed by Kale Arge.
“Listen to the sound that leads us to the future; that sound will propel us forward,” remarked Haluk Görgün, head of the SSB, expressing his optimism about the nation’s technological advancements.
“Our national platforms reinforced by indigenous engines are accelerating our defense industry’s goal of full independence and changing the game on the field,” Görgün added on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, extending his congratulations to all involved in the project.
The Atmaca missile is heralded as a high-precision, long-range, surface-to-surface anti-ship missile, capable of integration with patrol boats, frigates, and corvettes.
Designed to surpass its predecessors, the U.S.-made Harpoon missiles, the Atmaca boasts a range exceeding 250 kilometers (155 miles), posing a substantial threat to targets beyond visual range. Moreover, it offers advanced features such as target update, reattack, and mission abort capabilities via a modern data link.
Development of the Atmaca missile commenced in 2009, with a production deal signed between SSB and Roketsan in 2018.
The Atmaca is slated for deployment on corvettes constructed under Türkiye’s National Ship (MILGEM) project, as well as other vessels and submarines currently utilizing Harpoon missiles.
The missile’s efficacy against both stationary and moving targets is bolstered by its resistance to countermeasures, advanced routing system, and the ability to maneuver low above water and adjust its altitude closer to the target.
The successful launch of the Atmaca comes on the heels of Türkiye’s achievement in testing its inaugural military turbofan engine, TF6000, signaling a leap forward in the nation’s pursuit of self-reliance in critical defense technologies.
Designed by TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI), the TF6000 engine is poised to empower Türkiye’s first fifth-generation fighter jet, KAAN, and other advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, such as the Kızılelma and Anka-3, further bolstering the nation’s defense capabilities.
