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Roketsan Test-Fires Sub-Launched Variant of Atmaca Anti-Ship Missile
On March 12, 2025, the Turkish Navy test-fired the submarine-launched variant of the indigenously developed Roketsan Atmaca anti-ship cruising missile (ASCM), marking a milestone in Ankara’s efforts to indigenize its naval weapon systems.
The test was conducted from the Preveze-class submarine TCG Preveze off Mersin’s coast in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Developed by Roketsan, the Atmaca missile was encapsulated within a watertight container designed specifically to fit standard 533 mm torpedo tubes.
Upon launch, the capsule propelled itself from the submarine before releasing the missile, which then ignited its turbojet propulsion system to start its flight path.
Although no live warhead was used in this initial test, the successful deployment validated critical launch and ignition stages necessary for operational readiness.
The Roketsan Atmaca, which is already operational onboard the Turkish Navy’s Ada-class corvettes and Barbaros-class frigates, will gradually replace the fleet’s inventory of Boeing RGM-84 Harpoon ASCMs.
In terms of foreign users, Indonesia became the first to adopt the Atmaca with an order of 45 missiles. Türkiye is promoting the ASCM to other countries, including existing customers who are procuring Turkish-built naval platforms, like Malaysia.
The Atmaca has a total weight of 750 kg and offers a stated range of 250 km. It has a 220 kg warhead and uses satellite-aided inertial navigation system (GPS/INS) for guidance alongside a barometric altimeter and radar altimeter.
Roketsan also developed a larger variant weighing 890 kg called the Atmaca Kara. This variant has a longer range at 280 km and heavier warhead at 250 kg. It seems that the Atmaca Kara was designed for use as a land-based ASCM.
