Turkish Navy Tests Roketsan AKYA Next-Generation Torpedo

The Turkish Navy has test-fired its new AKYA heavyweight torpedo from the TCG Preveze attack submarine, the defense ministry announced on Monday.

The exercise was carried out with the help of the MUREN battle management system in the Sea of Marmara.

According to weapons manufacturer Roketsan, the AKYA next-generation torpedo is a high-speed, long-range, autonomous weapon with an active/passive sonar homing head.

The indigenous torpedo is designed to engage enemy submarines and surface targets such as cruisers, destroyers, and frigates at a distance of over 50 kilometers (31 miles).

Fitted with an acoustic counter-countermeasure capability and wake guidance, the torpedo can hit targets at a speed of more than 45 knots (83 kilometers per hour).

The recent live-fire test was the second on the weapon system so far. In January 2021, the torpedo was tested on the Gür submarine using the ISUS 90-33 fire control system.

Turkish Torpedoes

Apart from the AKYA, Roketsan is also developing the ORKA lightweight 324-millimeter torpedo.

The domestically-built weapon system can be launched from surface ships and air vehicles to engage submarines.

The ORKA’s maximum speed is 45 knots (83 kilometers per hour) with a range of over 25 kilometers (15 miles).

The torpedo has an impact explosion fuse with a propulsion system similar to the AKYA.

Roketsan is expected to finish the OKRA torpedo more quickly than the time it took for the AKYA, since the company has reportedly gained considerable experience in the design and development of torpedoes.