Turkey initiates project for the creation of a supersonic anti-ship missile
Turkey has embarked on the development of its first supersonic anti-ship missile, aiming to create an indigenous weapon that complements its existing subsonic missiles like ATMACA, SOM-J, and ÇAKIR. The project, a collaboration between Roketsan and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), is inspired by the Taiwanese Hsiung Feng III missile, designed for launch from both corvettes and fighter jets.
The agreement, signed at the IDEF25 exhibition in 2025, focuses on developing a liquid fuel ramjet engine, similar to the one powering TUBITAK's GÖKHAN BVRAAM air-to-air missile. The missile's size and capabilities will be balanced to accommodate launch from Turkish fighter jets and medium-sized naval vessels, which have design constraints typical of Western bloc platforms.
Supersonic speeds, while offering better structural breach capabilities due to kinetic energy, limit sea skimming and maneuvering, both in terms of time window and envelope. The intense heat resulting from supersonic speeds also makes these missiles more susceptible to IR sensors. However, the ability to fit on diverse platforms like fighter jets and corvettes will give Turkey a flexible offensive tool in naval engagements, expanding beyond the current subsonic ATMACA missile’s range (approx. 250 km) and role.
Details about the missile's exact range, speed, and warhead specifics have not been disclosed yet. The use of a liquid-fuel ramjet engine suggests the missile will sustain supersonic speeds during cruise, generally implying higher survivability against enemy defenses versus subsonic missiles but also posing challenges in guidance and propulsion complexity.
The development of this supersonic anti-ship missile is a significant step for Turkey, placing it among countries like China, Russia, and Taiwan, which already field or have operational supersonic anti-ship missiles. The missile's design philosophy is expected to be comparable to that of the Hsiung Feng III, considering the size constraints of Turkish warships, which are in line with Western bloc design patterns and do not allow large sizes for anti-ship missiles.
The cooperation between TUBITAK and Roketsan is part of a larger naval defense advancement strategy, with Aselsan's GÖKDENİZ CIWS designed to counter high-speed aerial threats including supersonic sea-skimming missiles. As the missile development progresses, Turkey is expected to have a more robust defense capability in the maritime domain.
References: 1. Anadolu Agency 2. Defense News 3. Defense Industry Daily 4. Janes
- The development of Turkey's first supersonic anti-ship missile, inspired by the Hsiung Feng III, is supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and Roketsan, as declared at the IDEF25 exhibition in 2025.
- The collaboration aims to produce a missile capable of being launched from Turkish fighter jets and medium-sized naval vessels, improving Turkey's offensive capabilities in naval engagements.
- The agreement focuses on developing a liquid fuel ramjet engine, similar to the one powering TUBITAK's GÖKHAN BVRAAM air-to-air missile, to ensure the missile can sustain supersonic speeds during cruise.
- The use of a liquid-fuel ramjet engine suggests the new missile will have higher survivability against enemy defenses versus subsonic missiles, placing Turkey among countries like China, Russia, and Taiwan that already field supersonic anti-ship missiles.
