The Turkish Navy has taken a step in developing its underwater strike capabilities with the successful test launch of the encapsulated variant of the Atmaca anti-ship missile. Conducted from the TCG Preveze submarine off the coast of Mersin in the Mediterranean Sea, this test represents a major milestone for Turkey’s defense industry and confirms the country’s ability to equip its submarines with domestically developed weapon systems.
The announcement was made by Haluk Görgün, head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), who highlighted the event as an important achievement in Turkey’s efforts to enhance its self-reliance in military technology. The missile, developed and manufactured by Roketsan, was launched from a 533 mm torpedo tube inside a watertight capsule equipped with a propeller. Once expelled from the submarine, the capsule released the missile, which then activated its propulsion system to proceed toward the designated target.
Footage shared on social media indicates that the tested missile was not equipped with a live warhead, as no impact was observed. A key objective of this demonstration was to confirm the system’s compatibility with the torpedo tubes of Turkish submarines, particularly those of the Preveze and Gür classes. These submarines will gain this capability following their modernization with the MÜREN combat management system, developed by HAVELSAN. This upgrade enables Turkish submarines to integrate domestically produced weapons, including the AKYA heavyweight torpedo and now the encapsulated Atmaca missile.
The Atmaca missile is designed to replace the Boeing RGM-84 Harpoon currently in service with the Turkish Navy. Already deployed on Ada-class corvettes and modernized Barbaros-class frigates, its submarine-launched version expands operational options by allowing Turkish submarines to engage surface targets from long range while maintaining a low detection profile.
Developed by Roketsan since 2009, the Atmaca is an all-weather anti-ship cruise missile designed for high-precision strikes. It utilizes a navigation system combining GPS, an inertial navigation system, a barometric altimeter, and a radar altimeter. Its active radar seeker enables precise target acquisition, while its data link allows real-time course adjustments, including target updates, re-engagement, or mission cancellation. The missile’s sea-skimming approach makes it more challenging to detect and intercept.
With a length of 4.8 to 5.2 meters and a weight of less than 800 kg, the Atmaca is equipped with a high-explosive, penetration-type warhead weighing 250 kg. It has a range exceeding 220 km, while its land-based variant, the KARA ATMACA, can reach targets beyond 280 km. Its capabilities have attracted international interest, particularly in Southeast Asia. In November 2022, Indonesia signed a contract to procure 45 Atmaca missiles, while Malaysia intends to integrate the system into its three Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) Batch 2, based on the Ada-class corvette design.
This successful test places Turkey among a limited group of nations with submarine-launched anti-ship missile capabilities, a technology currently deployed by the United States (UGM-84 Sub-Harpoon), France (SM-39 Exocet), and Russia (submarine-launched Kalibr variants). This capability significantly enhances a submarine’s operational reach, allowing it to engage distant targets without exposing its position, adding a new strategic dimension to naval warfare.
Alongside the encapsulated Atmaca, Turkey is also developing the Gezgin cruise missile, intended for long-range land strikes from submarine platforms. With greater range and payload capacity, this system is expected to play a key role in Turkey’s naval deterrence strategy. Additionally, discussions have emerged regarding the development of a submarine-launched air defense missile, potentially derived from the Hisar system by ASELSAN, as presented during the 10th Naval Systems Seminar.
The first successful underwater launch of the Atmaca missile reflects the progress of Turkey’s defense industry and its objective of achieving strategic autonomy in the naval domain. By focusing on indigenous technology, Turkey continues to enhance its submarine forces and strengthen its position as a key player in the development and production of advanced weapon systems.
