Türkiye Test-Fires SIPER-1D Missile from Indigenous MIDLAS Launcher
Türkiye successfully performed the first test-firing of the SIPER-1D long-range surface-to-air missile from its indigenous MIDLAS vertical launch system on 27 September 2025. The missile, developed by Roketsan with national resources, was launched from MIDLAS, which was first deployed on TCG İstanbul and is planned for all future Turkish naval platforms. According to Roketsan, this test demonstrates Türkiye’s ability to launch long-range air-defense missiles from its own ships using domestically produced systems.
The SIPER project was initiated to meet Türkiye’s long-range air defense requirements and forms a key component of the “Çelik Kubbe” (Steel Dome) air defense architecture. SIPER Block-1 was developed from the HİSAR O+ RF missile and uses a booster produced by Roketsan with a dual-pulse rocket motor capable of a 100 km range. SIPER Block-2, developed from scratch, uses a single-stage rocket motor to achieve greater range. The SIPER-1D launch from MIDLAS extends the ship’s air-defense capability beyond 100 kilometers, with further improvements in range expected as development continues.
The missile is 5.4 meters long with a diameter of 370 millimeters and is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. It uses data link, GPS/INS, and an RF seeker for guidance, allowing it to engage a variety of aerial targets. The integration with MIDLAS, Türkiye’s vertical launch system developed by Roketsan, enables flexible deployment from naval vessels and rapid response to airborne threats.
This development strengthens Türkiye’s position among nations capable of launching advanced long-range air-defense missiles from their own naval platforms. The combination of SIPER-1D and MIDLAS enhances operational capabilities for Türkiye’s naval forces in regions including the Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean, and Black Sea. Ongoing work on SIPER-2D aims to further increase range and effectiveness, and integration with advanced radar systems such as CAFRAD is expected to improve target acquisition and tracking.
The successful test-firing of SIPER-1D from MIDLAS represents a significant step in Türkiye’s self-reliance in naval air defense and demonstrates the country’s continued development of indigenous missile and launcher systems.
✍️ This article is written by the team of The Defense News.