Turkey has added another major breakthrough to its defense industry. The ATMACA submarine-fired encapsulated cruise missile has been successful in a test launch conducted in cooperation with the Presidency of Defense Industries, the Naval Forces Command and ROKETSAN. This test launch was recorded as an important development that brings Türkiye's submarine missile firing capability to the same level as a select few countries in the world.
The test was conducted from the TCG PREVEZE submarine and was carried out with the participation of Defense Industries President Haluk Görgün, Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu and ROKETSAN General Manager Murat İkinci. Haluk Görgün, who announced the development, announced this important step with the words, “The steel sword of the Blue Homeland, ATMACA, will now hit its target from under the sea!” Görgün also thanked all the authorities who contributed to this great success and emphasized that the Turkish defense industry is moving towards a fully independent future on land, in the air and at sea.
Türkiye's New Defense Capability
This test firing reinforced Türkiye's steps towards becoming one of the few countries with the ability to fire anti-ship missiles fired from submarines. The project, announced in 2021 by the then President of Defense Industries İsmail Demir, was another big step after the ATMACA-Submarine capsule, which was exhibited for the first time by the Turkish Naval Forces at the delivery ceremony of the TCG PİRİREİS Submarine.
It can be stated that the ATMACA missile is similar to the UGM-84 Sub Harpoon anti-ship missiles. After the UGM-84 Harpoon surfaces from the submarine via a carrier capsule compatible with the submarine's 533 mm torpedo tubes, it starts flying with a rocket engine and continues with a cruise turbojet engine. However, the version of the ATMACA adapted for submarines can offer much longer range and advanced features compared to torpedoes. This feature allows the ATMACA to reach targets with much higher efficiency and precision.
Advantages of ATMACA
ATMACA, which is launched from submarines, has a technology that makes it difficult to detect, such as its reduced radar cross-section and low cruising altitude. This makes it even more difficult to respond to the attack and increases the chance of success of missile attacks from submarines. These features of ATMACA offer the potential to be used not only against ships but also against land targets in the future.
This submarine-fired missile opens the door to a new era in Türkiye’s defense industry. The missiles provide effectiveness against more challenging targets and offer a long-range engagement alternative for submarines. This increases Türkiye’s military power while also reinforcing its self-sufficiency in the defense industry.
Future Potential: ATMACA and New Technologies
The sharing of plans at the last SAHA EXPO fair for the GEZGİN cruise missile with MİLDEN's vertical launch system and the ATMACA missile from the torpedo tube, takes Türkiye's goals in this area one step further. Such developments show that the Turkish defense industry is developing a multifaceted defense strategy against submarine, land and air targets.
As a result, the successful test launch of the ATMACA missile with submarine-launched capsule was an important step that strengthened Türkiye's submarine defense capabilities and provided it with a capability that only a few countries in the world have. The Turkish defense industry continues to work for a more independent and powerful Türkiye on land, in the air and at sea with technological advances.
