ANKARA: Türkiye’s National Defence Ministry on Wednesday announced the successful live-fire test of the indigenously developed AKYA heavyweight torpedo, saying the weapon destroyed a target ship during a major naval exercise.
The AKYA torpedo was launched from the TCG Sakarya, a Preveze-class submarine, during the DENIZKURDU-II 2026 exercise. According to the ministry, the torpedo scored a direct hit, splitting and sinking the target vessel.
Developed by Turkish defence company ROKETSAN, the AKYA is designed to provide the Turkish Navy with indigenous anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
Indigenous Capability
The heavyweight torpedo has a standard 533mm diameter and weighs about 1.2 tonnes. It is equipped with fibre-optic wire guidance, active and passive acoustic sonar, wake-homing technology and a magnetic proximity sensor.
Powered by battery-driven counter-rotating propellers, the weapon can travel at speeds exceeding 40 knots and has an operational range of more than 15 kilometres.
Reducing Foreign Dependence
The successful test is part of Türkiye’s broader effort to expand its domestic defence industry and reduce reliance on imported military systems.
The AKYA torpedo is being integrated with the indigenous MÜREN Combat Management System, replacing foreign-made systems, including the German DM2A4 SeaHake and the US Mk48 torpedoes, as Türkiye seeks greater self-reliance in underwater warfare capabilities.
The Defence Ministry said the successful strike underscored the technological progress achieved by the country’s defence industry.
