Turkish Submarine Tests Atmaca Anti-Ship Missile
A Turkish Navy submarine launched an Atmaca anti-ship missile off the coast of Mersin on March 12, 2025. According to Haluk Görgün, head of the Defense Industries Presidential Office (SSB), the Turkish Navy successfully test-fired an Atmaca anti-ship missile.
The test was conducted on the TCG Preveze submarine near Mersin in the Mediterranean Sea on March 12, 2025, the Turkish Ministry of Defense explained in a press release. The missile was housed in a waterproof, propeller-equipped compartment designed to accommodate the submarine’s 533 mm diameter torpedo tubes.
After the launch, the capsule drifted away from the submarine before the rocket ignited and ejected the capsule. Images circulated on social media show that the missile did not carry an active warhead and no impact marks were detected.
A key aspect of this test was the submarine’s ability to launch the container from the torpedo tube.
Developed and produced by Roketsan, the Atmaca missile is the main offensive weapon of the Turkish Navy and is gradually replacing Boeing’s RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile.
The Barbaros program is currently deployed on the Ada-class frigates and corvettes, which are undergoing mid-term modernization.
There is growing international interest in the Atmaca missile, with Indonesia and Malaysia as export customers.
In November 2022, Indonesia signed a contract to purchase 45 Atmaca missiles, demonstrating its determination to develop its naval capabilities. Malaysia has also selected the Atmaca missile system and plans to integrate it on its three second-generation littoral combat ships based on the Turkish Ada-class frigate design.
