ANKARA, — June 13, 2026 : The Turkish Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed the successful live-firing of the domestically developed AKYA heavyweight torpedo and ATMACA anti-ship missile during the Denizkurdu-II (Sea Wolf II) 2026 naval exercise in the Eastern Mediterranean. The live-fire events were conducted on June 11 as part of the exercise’s Distinguished Observers Day activities, with the ministry later releasing footage and damage assessment images from both engagements.
The tests marked another milestone in Türkiye’s efforts to strengthen indigenous naval warfare capabilities and expand the operational use of domestically developed weapon systems across its submarine and surface fleets.
AKYA Torpedo Successfully Engages Surface Target
The AKYA heavyweight torpedo was launched from TCG Sakarya (S-354), a Preveze-class (Type 209/1400) diesel-electric submarine currently undergoing a mid-life modernization program. The designated target was the decommissioned TCG Sokullu Mehmet Paşa (A-577), a vessel that served the Turkish Navy for decades as a cadet training and command ship.
Originally built in West Germany in 1960 as the Rhein-class tender Donau (A-69), the ship was later acquired by Türkiye in the 1990s. It remained in service for nearly 27 years before being decommissioned in February 2024.
Video footage released by the Ministry of Defence showed the AKYA torpedo striking the vessel and causing extensive structural damage. The impact split the target ship into two sections, demonstrating the effectiveness of the torpedo’s underwater warhead and shock effect against surface targets.
The firing also represented the second successful AKYA engagement against a real surface target, providing additional operational data for the Turkish Navy as the weapon moves toward wider fleet deployment.
First AKYA Launch Using MÜREN Combat Management System
A major achievement during the exercise was the operational use of the MÜREN (National Integrated Underwater Combat Management System) aboard TCG Sakarya.
According to Turkish defence officials, this was the first time an AKYA torpedo was fired from TCG Sakarya using the newly integrated MÜREN system. The indigenous combat management architecture is being introduced across Türkiye’s submarine fleet to replace legacy combat systems on the Ay-class, Preveze-class, and Gür-class submarines.
The MÜREN system integrates sonar data processing, target tracking, navigation, command-and-control functions, fire-control solutions, and wire-guided torpedo management. The successful launch during a live-fire exercise serves as an important validation of the system’s operational readiness and Türkiye’s broader effort to localize critical submarine combat technologies.
The combat management system is a key component of the ongoing modernization of the Preveze-class submarines, which also includes upgrades to sonar systems, sensors, and other mission-critical equipment.
ATMACA Missile Demonstrates Surface Strike Capability
Alongside the submarine exercise, the Turkish Navy also conducted a live-fire test of the indigenous ATMACA anti-ship guided missile.
The missile was launched from the Ada-class corvette TCG Kınalıada and successfully struck its designated target, the decommissioned open-sea tugboat ex-TCG Akbaş, which had previously served in the Turkish Navy.
The successful engagement demonstrated the Navy’s surface strike capabilities and the operational maturity of the ATMACA missile program. Reports from the exercise indicated that the missile achieved an engagement range of approximately 102 kilometers before destroying the target.
The simultaneous employment of AKYA and ATMACA against real targets highlighted the growing integration of Türkiye’s domestically developed naval weapon systems across both submarine and surface combat platforms.
AKYA Heavyweight Torpedo Specifications
Developed by Roketsan, the AKYA is a 533 mm heavyweight torpedo designed to engage both submarines and surface vessels. The weapon is expected to gradually replace or supplement the German DM2A4 SeaHake and U.S.-origin Mk 48 torpedoes currently operated by the Turkish Navy.
Key specifications include:
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Range: More than 50 kilometers
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Maximum Speed: Over 45 knots
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Weight: Approximately 1,200 kilograms
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Length: Around 7 meters
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Guidance: Active and passive sonar, acoustic countermeasure capability, wake-homing mode for surface targets, autonomous operation, and fibre-optic wire guidance
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Warhead: Insensitive warhead weighing approximately 350–380 kilograms with underwater shock effect
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Fuzing: Proximity and impact sensors
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Propulsion: Brushless DC electric motor with counter-rotating propellers powered by high-energy chemical batteries
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Launch Method: Swim-out launch capability
The torpedo is planned to become the standard heavyweight weapon for modernized Preveze-class, Gür-class, and the new Reis-class (Type 214TN) submarines entering service with the Turkish Navy.
Denizkurdu-II 2026 Exercise
The Denizkurdu-II exercise is one of the Turkish Navy’s largest annual maritime drills and is designed to evaluate operational readiness, joint-force coordination, and the performance of indigenous defence systems.
The 2026 edition involved approximately 125 naval platforms, 60 aircraft, and nearly 18,000 personnel operating across the Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, and Eastern Mediterranean. The exercise included a broad range of scenarios covering anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, maritime security, amphibious operations, and integrated naval combat missions.
Turkish Naval Forces Commander Admiral Ercüment Tatlıoğlu emphasized the importance of domestically developed weapon systems and combat technologies in strengthening national defence capabilities and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
The latest AKYA and ATMACA firings provide additional operational validation for Türkiye’s indigenous naval modernization efforts, while supporting ongoing serial production and fleet-wide integration programs aimed at enhancing the country's self-reliance in underwater and surface warfare capabilities.
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