Turkey Successfully Tests Domestic Vertical Missile Launch System From Warships

MIDLAS launchers fired missiles from the Istanbul TCG frigate. (Source: AA Photo via Daily Sabah)

JAKARTA - MIDLAS' domestically-made vertical launch system (VLS) successfully fired its first missile from a Turkish naval frigate last month, marking another important milestone for the country's defense industry.

This test, which involved a test-firing of Turkey's Hisar-D naval defense missile from TCG Istanbul, marks an important milestone and completion of a test of the naval acceptance of the National Vertical Launch System, the Turkish Defense Industry (SSB) statement said, which oversees the test.

SSB President Haluk Görg\"un, who was present at the launch, highlighted the importance of this for the Turkish defense industry. He expressed his "excitement and pride", mentioning that further trials are planned for the future.

Görgön stressed that efforts are ongoing to reduce the dependence of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) on foreign sources and meet important domestic needs.

"We have passed another important milestone in the MILGEM Vertical Launch System Procurement Project, which we started in the scope of our Navy Command needs. MIDLAS, which was integrated into Turkey's first national frigate, TCG Istanbul, managed to fire Hisar -Rudal D RF," he explained, quoted by the Daily Sabah on April 2.

"With this test, for the first time in Turkey, national air defense missiles were fired from naval platforms using national launchers," he added.

This is the latest trial in a series of such systems procurement projects, built by Turkish missile manufacturer Roketsan, under the MILGEM National Ship Project for the country's navy, he added.

In addition, this is an important milestone as part of the 5th, 6, 7 and 8 MILGEM Ship Vertical Launch System Procurement Project initiated by SSB and implemented by Roketsan as the main contractor to meet the needs of Turkey's Naval Command.

Görg\un further said, along with the progress of the project, MIDLAS could launch other Turkish-made missiles, including Atmaca anti-ship ammunition and Siper and Sapan air defense missiles.

"Another important achievement in the test shooting was the launch of the Hisar-D RF missile, using the integrated use of all other ship's radar/sensors and fire control systems, especially the ADVENT national combat management system at TCG Istanbul," said Görgön.

"The Hisar-D RF missile safe separation test from TCG Istanbul was also successfully completed," he added.