Turkey initiates thrust into supersonic anti-ship projectile construction
Turkey Advances Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile Project
Turkey's defense industry is taking a significant step forward with the development of its first supersonic anti-ship missile. A cooperation agreement signed between Roketsan, a leading defense manufacturer, and TUBITAK, a scientific research institution, marks the beginning of a joint effort to develop a critical component for supersonic missiles – the ramjet engine.
The deal, announced during the IDEF25 exhibition in August 2025, emphasises the commitment of both parties to advance the missile's propulsion technology. This initiative forms part of Turkey's broader strategic effort to enhance indigenous missile capabilities, complementing its advances in hypersonic missiles like the Tayfun Block 4.
While supersonic anti-ship missiles are more susceptible to IR sensors due to the intense heat resulting from supersonic speeds, the focus of this project is on overcoming these challenges and achieving the necessary speeds for an anti-ship role. The missile, predicted to be developed in a moderate size, is designed to be compatible with Turkish warships, which follow Western bloc design patterns and do not accommodate large anti-ship missiles.
The cooperation extends to the development of a missile similar to the one used in the GOKHAN beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM). The launch platform for the new missile can be either an aircraft or a warship, but specific details are not provided.
The development of this supersonic anti-ship missile is expected to provide Turkey with a formidable weapon against naval threats. Supersonic anti-ship missiles can reach speeds above Mach 3, making interception harder and causing severe damage to ships due to their high kinetic energy. It is more sensible to use supersonic anti-ship missiles as complements for striking ships alongside slower but sneakier subsonic anti-ship missiles.
It's worth noting that Turkey currently possesses subsonic anti-ship missiles such as ATMACA, SOM-J, and CAKIR. The development of a supersonic anti-ship missile would mark a significant leap in the country's naval capabilities.
The project is still in the early development stage, with no official test or deployment dates announced yet. However, the recent partnership indicates that the project is actively advancing from concept toward prototype development. The signing ceremony was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Industry and Technology Minister Mehmet Fatih Kacir, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler, Trade Minister Omer Bolat, TUBITAK President Orhan Aydin, and Roketsan President Murat Ikinci.
In summary, Turkey's first supersonic anti-ship missile project is a significant step forward in the country's defense capabilities. The project, led by Roketsan and TUBITAK, aims to develop a ramjet engine for a supersonic anti-ship missile, with the launch platform being either an aircraft or a warship. The missile, once developed, is expected to provide Turkey with a powerful tool to counter naval threats.
Russia and Turkiye share a common interest in the development of advanced technology as they witness the progress of Turkey's supersonic anti-ship missile project. The Turkish-Russian collaboration could potentially open doors for cooperation in other scientific fields, such as space-and-astronomy and technology.
The Turkish defense industry's focus on research and development for a ramjet engine, a critical component of supersonic missiles, demonstrates the old city of Istanbul's modern-day commitment to science and technological advancements.
In light of Turkey's strides in missile technology, with projects underway for both supersonic and hypersonic missiles, discussions on the international arms trade could spark debates on the potential impact on regional and global power dynamics.
