Turkey Shoots Down Sea Target With New Hisar-D RF Missile for First Time

The Turkish Navy has intercepted an aerial target for the first time using the Hisar-D RF surface-to-air missile launched from the TCG Istanbul frigate.

The launches took place on August 15th in the Black Sea off the coast of Sinop.

According to Aselsan, the missile destroyed an unmanned aerial vehicle in conditions close to combat.

Hisar-D RF is a medium-range air defense missile developed by Roketsan for use on naval platforms. Equipped with an active radar seeker, it is designed to counter aircraft, helicopters, UAVs and cruise missiles.

The launch is carried out from a MiDLAS vertical launcher, which can hold four interceptors in one cell.

During the tests, the CENK 4D search radar with an active phased array antenna (AESA) and the AKREP fire control radar provided guidance. In the final stage of the flight, the AGRAS seeker directed the missile to the target, while the GÜDÜ data link maintained real-time communication with ship systems for constant updates.

Ground tests of Hisar-D RF began in 2022, and in March 2024 the first ship-based launch from TCG Istanbul was carried out. Ankara started developing the MiDLAS system after the US imposed an embargo on the supply of the Mk 41 vertical launcher.