Türkiye successfully test-fired its SİPER 1-D long-range air defense missile from the indigenously developed MİDLAS vertical launch system at the Aksaray Test Center, the defense industry presidency said on Saturday.
Turkey has achieved a critical milestone in transferring its long-range air defense capabilities to naval platforms. The SİPER 1-D missile, developed under the coordination of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), was successfully test-fired at the Aksaray Firing Test Center using the indigenously designed National Vertical Launch System (MİDLAS).
SSB President Haluk Görgün shared footage of the test, noting: “The live-fire test of SİPER 1-D, developed with national capabilities, was successfully completed with MİDLAS. We have further strengthened our position among the few countries capable of launching their own long-range air defense missiles from national ships and launchers. This success is a meaningful gift for our Navy’s anniversary.”
The SİPER project is carried out in partnership with Roketsan (missile development), ASELSAN (radar, fire control, and system integration), and TÜBİTAK SAGE (guidance, warhead, subsystems). MİDLAS, led by ASELSAN, was previously integrated into Turkey’s first national frigate TCG İstanbul, where it successfully launched the HİSAR-D RF missile.
Strategic Impact
Until now, Turkish Navy air defense relied on systems with ranges of up to 50 km (ESSM Block I/II, HİSAR-D RF, SM-1MR). The successful launch of SİPER 1-D, with a range of over 100 km, brings long-range interception capability to Turkish naval forces for the first time.
This capability will be integrated into the I-class frigates under construction and the future TF-2000 air defense destroyers.
MİDLAS features a 16-cell structure capable of launching multiple missile types, including SİPER Block-1/2, ATMACA, and GEZGİN. With its planned “Quad-Pack” configuration, up to 64 missiles could be deployed on a single platform.
The first SİPER 1-D launch marks Turkey’s entry into the small group of nations capable of firing long-range air defense systems from nationally developed vertical launch systems—an important step toward independent naval air defense.
