IDEF 2025 – Roketsan unveils new weapon systems
At IDEF 2025 Roketsan, the Turkish leading company in the rocket, missile and munitions domain, launched six new weapons operating in all four physical domains, land, air, sea and space
EDR On-Line already reported on the Gökbora, the BVRAAM weapon with an over 100 NM range that will arm manned and unmanned air platforms, as well as on the Akata, the the over 250 km range submarine-launched version of the ATMACA anti-ship missile. So let us concentrate on the remaining four new systems, which development further underlines the Turkish will to become fully independent in the defence domain.
At the Istanbul Expo Center the Roketsan stand was dominated by the Şimşek-2 space launch vehicle, capable to deploy a payload up to 1,500 kg in a sun synchronous orbit at an altitude of over 700 kilometers. Designed to launch Low Earth Orbit satellites, the Şimşek-2 is a two-stage rocket with motors using RP-1/LOX propellant, the kick stage using hypergolic liquid propellant; the overall length is 39.2 metres, the second stage and faiting having a 3.0 metres diametre while the first stage diametres is 3.3 metres. Roketsan plans to conduct the first test in 2027.
From space to high speed, at IDEF Roketsan showcased the Tayfun Block-4 Hypersonic Missile; while the missile mock-up was exhibited at the company stand, at the static exhibition on the Ataturk Airport apron the launcher could be seen. Based on an 8×8 truck the launcher carries two missiles, the prototype being fitted with a standard unprotected cabin. Each missile has a mass at launch of 7,200 kg, and carries a multi-purpose warhead which mass was not detailed by the company. The same applies to the Tayfun Block-4 range, supposedly at least 1,500 km, and speed, possibly around Mach 5. The missile is 10 metres long and hasd a diameter of 938 mm. It is fitted with a Go-Onto-Location-In-Space (GOLIS) guidance system, no further details being provided, as well as no CEP indications. The Tayfun Block-4 is designed to neutralize strategic targets such as air defense systems, command and control centers, military hangars, and other critical military infrastructure from long distances with high precision. No indication on the programme status were released.
The Eren is a multi-purpose loitering munition designed to be launched from land, sea and air. With a mass at launch of 35 kg, it carries a high explosive blast/fragmentation warhead that ensure neutralisation of light armoured and unarmoured land platforms, as well as personnel, Roketsan not providing the warhead mass. A 2 meters long weapon with a 160 mm diameter, the Eren can be launched from manned and unmanned air platforms, and has a range of over 100 km with an endurance of more than 15 minutes, propulsion being provided by a turbojet. The missile is fitted with an INS/GNSS navigation system, the last phase of the attack being carried out under the gudance of an imaging infrared seeker, which allows engaging also slow moving aeria targets in addition to moving land and naval targets. According to Roketsan EREN is designed to fill a critical operational gap in modern combat scenarios.
While the Eren is a bridge between land and air, the 300 ER is a purely air-launched system designed to be integrated on jet aircraft as well as on heavy unmanned air vehicles. With a mass at launch of 900 kg, the 300 ER is 5 metres long and has a range of more than 500 km, depending on the altitude at which it is released and at which speed. The missile is powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor that ensures high speed, no data being provided,; as for guidance and warhead, the 300 ER is modular therefore several options will be available. High explosive fragmentation or penetration warheads are proposed, while guidance is for the time being based on a INS/GNSS plus optronic seeker. Speed and accuracy allow engaging strategic targets at range, such as radar antennas, command and control centres, ground based air defence systems, as well as armoured vehicles, targets in urban areas, and so on.
Photos by P. Valpolini
