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Turkish defense manufacturer Roketsan unveiled the submarine configuration of its MIDLAS vertical launch system (VLS) designed for the indigenous MILDEN (Milli Denizalti—meaning national submarine) submarine project, introducing capabilities for both cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles during the 12th Naval Systems Seminar.
The MIDLAS system adapted for submarines will be capable of launching Gezgin cruise missiles, Atmaca UM land attack cruise missiles, Atmaca anti-ship missiles, and the Tayfun short-range ballistic missile (SRBM), according to Roketsan's presentation.
Roketsan Launcher Systems Manager Mustafa Ozdemir announced that the submarine-adapted MIDLAS version represents a significant advancement in the Turkish Navy's strike capabilities, marking the first public disclosure of the system's submarine configuration.
The MIDLAS system will accommodate multiple missile types with varying ranges and capabilities.
The Atmaca UM land attack cruise missile can effectively engage land targets at ranges of 400 kilometers (248.5 miles), while the longer-range Gezgin missile is planned for platform integration in future phases.
The Atmaca UM serves as a purpose-built land-attack version of the Atmaca anti-ship missile, featuring increased weight, longer range, and terrain-hugging flight capabilities through different guidance systems.
The missile was originally designed for truck-launched operations using Roketsan's modular launcher interface.
The Gezgin cruise missile is expected to serve as Türkiye's counterpart to heavy land attack cruise missiles like the Tomahawk and Kalibr systems, providing long-range strike capabilities exceeding 1000 kilometers.
Military analysts suggest that Atmaca UM is being explored as an interim solution until the Gezgin missile becomes available for submarine deployment.
The lighter Atmaca UM has undergone successful test firing at ranges around 400 kilometers and has proven its target engagement capabilities.
Sharing components with the standard Atmaca anti-ship missile and being closer to operational status, Atmaca UM offers a more immediate solution for submarine-launched land attack capabilities.
The baseline MIDLAS system is also being proposed with capabilities to launch Atmaca missiles, potentially providing I-class frigates with enhanced land attack capabilities beyond submarine platforms.
The submarine-launched ballistic missile concept follows global trends, with South Korea operating the KSS-III submarines equipped with Hyunmoo 4-4 SRBMs through modified K-VLS cells. Countries including China and Pakistan have also expressed interest in naval platform-launched SRBMs.
Technical specifications indicate that launching these missiles vertically from submarines requires substantial modifications. The Atmaca UM measures 6.1 meters in length, while the Tayfun extends to 6.5 meters. Industry experts estimate that vertical launch capabilities would require submarine hull diameters of at least 7.5 to 8 meters.
For comparison, the Reis-class submarines feature an outer hull diameter of 6.3 meters with a displacement of 2,000 tons, while the U.S. Virginia-class submarines launching Tomahawk missiles weigh 10,000 tons with 10-meter hull diameters.
The MILDEN submarine project represents a larger and heavier platform compared to the Reis-class submarines.
Initial disclosed specifications indicated a displacement exceeding 2,700 tons, with industry expectations comparing the platform to South Korea's KSS-III submarines, which displace 3,600 tons and successfully operate submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
The KSS-III submarines demonstrate the feasibility of launching the 12.5-meter Hyunmoo-4 SLBM, providing a reference point for the MILDEN platform's potential capabilities.
ASFAT previously indicated VLS capabilities for MILDEN during SAHA EXPO 2024, while Roketsan's submarine VLS variant was first mentioned by Ozdemir during Euronaval 2024.
Recently, in an extensive report detailing significant advances in its maritime capabilities between 2022 and 2025, construction of the first MILDEN-class submarine—Türkiye's entirely domestic submarine design—began in December 2024, with a total of six units planned for completion by 2031.
The MILDEN program, initiated in 2010, is coordinated by the Turkish Naval Research Center Command (ARMERKOM) and developed by ASFAT and the Turkish Navy’s Project Design Office. The concept design was approved in January 2022.
Technical specifications include:
A version with vertical launch systems was publicly displayed at SAHA EXPO 2024, and Roketsan confirmed that the MIDLAS vertical launcher is being adapted for submarine use.
Also, according to the Turkish Naval Forces Command's activity report dated March 2025, the construction of the first of six submarines in the new fleet is expected to be completed by 2031.
The construction process for the first submarine officially began on Dec. 16, 2024, with the first welding of the test block, as announced by the Turkish Navy.
The MILDEN submarine will be over 80 meters in length with a surface displacement of approximately 2,700 tons.
One of the standout features of this submarine will be its Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, which enhances its stealth and endurance, allowing it to stay submerged for longer periods without needing to surface.
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