Turkey Successfully Tests Kara Atmaca Long-range Missile, Replaces Harpoon Made In The United States

AIllustration of Turkish missiles. (Twitter/@zspcl)

JAKARTA - Turkey's long-range surface-to-surface cruise missile Kara Atmaca, successfully underwent its furthest and longest-running test flight, a senior official said Monday this week.

Supported by domestically developed KTJ3700 engines by Kale Arge, the missile managed to hit a floating target after being fired from a mobile launcher, according to a video shared by its developer, Roketsan.

The manufacturer did not disclose its location, although similar testing is usually carried out at a facility in Sinop, Turkey's northernmost province.

"During its latest test, Kara Atmaca, which is supported by the KTJ3700 engine, managed to hit its target with very high accuracy and complete the longest flight to date," said Haluk Görg\un, head of the Presidency of the Defense Industry (SSB). August 19.

Görgön further stated that this system is designed to be used against strategic ground targets that require high precision and will further strengthen Turkey's military forces.

"With its distinctive features, Kara Atmaca will be one step ahead of its global competitors," he wrote on social media platform X.

This anti-violating missile system can be launched from a tactical-wheeled vehicle and is expected to target ground-based strategic assets, air defense batteries, and a fixed and mobile ground-based missile system.

The development contract for Kara Atmaca was signed in mid-August 2021 to meet the operational needs of the Turkish Army Command to carry out precision attacks at long distances.

Weighing about 250 kilograms, the missile is equipped with a state-of-the-art infrared imaging (IIR) search chief, which allows it to perform aggressive maneuvers and strike targets with centimeter-level precision.

Kara Atmaca has a range of more than 280 kilometers (173.98 miles), further away from its name.

Atmaca is touted as a high-precision surface-to-surface precision attack missile that can be integrated with patrol boats, frigates and corvettes.

The Turkish Naval Command Inventory has long covered the US-made Harpoon antiship missile, which is now being replaced by the Atmaca missile. The missile is expected to start operating by 2026.