Türkiye tests novel cruise missile Kara Atmaca

Türkiye's latest defense innovation, the Kara Atmaca long-range surface-to-surface cruise missile, has successfully completed its longest-range and longest-duration flight test, marking a significant advancement in the country’s military technology.

The test showcased the missile's advanced capabilities and potential impact on Türkiye's strategic defence, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The Kara Atmaca missile, powered by the domestically developed KTJ3700 turbojet engine, achieved its flight test milestone by accurately hitting a floating target launched from a mobile launcher. The test, which was conducted at an undisclosed location—likely the Sinop facility in Türkiye’s northernmost province—demonstrates the missile's precision and reliability.

Haluk Gorgun, head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), highlighted the significance of this test, stating, "During its most recent test, Kara Atmaca, powered by the KTJ3700 engine, successfully hit its target with pinpoint accuracy and completed its longest flight to date." Gorgun emphasized that the missile system is designed to target strategic land assets with high precision, enhancing Türkiye's military capabilities.

The Kara Atmaca missile system features several advanced attributes:

The missile boasts a range of over 280 kilometres (approximately 174 miles) and is equipped with an advanced imaging infrared (IIR) seeker head, allowing for centimetre-level targeting precision.

It can be launched from tactical-wheeled vehicles and is intended to strike strategic land-based targets, air defense systems, and both fixed and mobile land-based missile systems.

The missile is set to replace the US-made Harpoon anti-ship missiles in the Turkish Naval Forces Command’s inventory, with entry into service anticipated by 2026.