The GÖKSUR Air Defense System, jointly developed by ASELSAN and TÜBİTAK SAGE, achieved a major milestone during a live-fire test conducted off the coast of Sinop. In the test, a high-speed, low-altitude target was successfully destroyed using a domestically produced, seeker-equipped missile for the first time. The firing was carried out through the GÖKSUR 100-N Vertical Launch System (VLS), designed and manufactured with national capabilities.
During the test, the GÖKSUR IIR Missile was guided toward its target via a data link (GÜDÜ) during the mid-course phase, using the system’s fire control interface. Equipped with a next-generation infrared (IIR) seeker, the missile locked onto its target at a range of over 11 kilometers, scoring a direct hit. This marks Turkey’s first successful strike on a sea-skimming target using an indigenously developed missile.
A New Milestone for Turkish Naval Air Defense
President of the Defense Industry Agency (SSB), Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, emphasized the system’s strategic value, stating: The GÖKSUR IIR Infrared Seeker-Equipped Missile, launched from the GÖKSUR 100-N Vertical Launch System, precisely hit a low-altitude target near the sea surface. This success grants our naval platforms a game-changing air defense capability.”
Developed to protect surface combatants, the GÖKSUR product family stands out as a point air defense system that provides high effectiveness against sea-skimming threats, including anti-ship and cruise missiles. The system enables modernization of existing ship-based air defense architectures, further strengthening Turkey’s defense industry independence.
Strategic Importance and Technical Highlights
Designed for close-range naval defense, the GÖKSUR system provides high accuracy and multi-target engagement against a wide range of aerial threats, including anti-ship missiles, UAVs, cruise missiles, fighter jets, and helicopters.
Key Features:
- 360-degree threat engagement capability
- Advanced IIR seeker-based guidance
- Simultaneous multi-target engagement
- Mid-course data-link guidance with high single-shot kill probability
- Modular architecture for multi-platform integration
GÖKSUR IIR Missile and Configurations
Developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE, the GÖKSUR IIR Missile serves as the system’s interceptor. It is derived from the BOZDOĞAN air-to-air missile, adapted for naval use. The missile features a two-way data link and vertical launch capability. After successful wind tunnel tests, it entered the live-fire evaluation phase.
Configuration Variants:
- GÖKSUR 100-N VLS – Vertical launch variant
- GÖKSUR 100-N CMI – Integrated with the Combat Management System
- GÖKSUR 100-N/StA – Stand-alone operational version
The BOZDOĞAN-DH variant, featuring a data link, enables mid-course guidance updates and terminal IIR seeker homing, while the GÖKDOĞAN beyond-visual-range missile will also integrate into the system for extended coverage.
