Turkey has taken another important step in developing its naval strike power. Footage shows a Turkish submarine launching an ATMACA anti-ship missile through a torpedo tube, a technique used mainly by conventional diesel-electric submarines. With this, Turkey shows that its domestically developed cruise missile can now also be deployed from submarines.
The test highlights the growing role of Turkish defence technology and fits a broader strategy of developing more weapon systems entirely at home.
Launch from a torpedo tube
The footage shows the missile first being launched underwater and then igniting at the surface. In this type of launch, the missile is placed in a capsule that is ejected from the submarine through a standard torpedo tube.
As soon as the capsule reaches the surface, it opens and the rocket motor starts. The missile then flies on towards its target.
This system is often referred to as a “submerged launch”. The big advantage is that the submarine can remain fully submerged during the attack and is therefore harder to detect.
For conventional submarines this is a practical solution, because they usually have no vertical launch systems.
ATMACA as a Turkish alternative to Harpoon
The ATMACA missile was developed by the Turkish company Roketsan to replace the American Harpoon missile, which was the Turkish navy’s standard anti-ship missile for many years.
ATMACA has a range of more than 200 kilometres and can adjust its course in flight using modern navigation systems and data links. The missile flies very low over the water to make radar detection harder.
Besides use from ships, the missile is also being adapted for launch from land installations and submarines. This allows one missile type to be used on several platforms, which simplifies logistics and maintenance.
Small submarines use torpedo tubes
Launching cruise missiles through torpedo tubes is a well-known method for many smaller submarines. Diesel-electric submarines in particular use this technique because their design usually has no room for large vertical launch systems.
Unlike large nuclear submarines, they usually only have torpedo tubes in the bow. By placing missiles in special capsules, these can still be launched from the same tubes.
Large American submarines, such as the Ohio class or Virginia class, often use vertical launch tubes in the upper hull to fire cruise missiles. This lets them carry much larger numbers of missiles.
Relevance for future Dutch submarines
The principle seen in this Turkish test is also relevant for other navies. Many modern conventional submarines are designed to deploy cruise missiles through the same tubes as torpedoes.
That also applies to the future Dutch submarines that will replace the Walrus class. Although their exact armament has not been fully disclosed, launching missiles through torpedo tubes is a familiar option on modern diesel-electric boats.
This allows submarines not only to attack ships, but also to strike targets on land with cruise missiles.
An underwater attack remains hard to detect
The main advantage of this launch method is stealth. Because the submarine stays underwater during the attack, it is difficult for opponents to locate the source of the missile launch.
The missile only appears at the surface when it is already on its way to the target. That significantly shortens the reaction time of an enemy fleet.
It is precisely this combination of a hidden platform and a long-range missile that makes submarines one of the most dangerous weapon systems at sea.
Growth of the Turkish defence industry
The successful integration of ATMACA on different platforms fits Turkey’s broader ambition to become less dependent on foreign weapon systems.
In recent years the country has invested heavily in its own missiles, drones, radar systems and naval vessels. The development of a submarine-launched version of ATMACA shows that Turkey is also becoming increasingly self-sufficient in naval missile technology.
For modern navies, this is an important development. Submarines that can launch anti-ship missiles from a stealthy position pose a serious threat to enemy naval task groups, especially in busy waters where detection is difficult.
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