Türkiye commits to acquire long-range Atmaca cruise missiles
NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska has announced that Türkiye has committed to procuring a significant number of ground-launched long-range Atmaca cruise missiles. The initiative, alongside 155 mm ammunition projects, has a combined value of approximately $1.6 billion.
Türkiye has committed to procuring a significant number of ground-launched long-range Atmaca cruise missiles, NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska said Tuesday, as allies seek to expand defense production and strengthen long-range strike capabilities. Speaking at the NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum, held as part of the 36th NATO Leaders Summit in Ankara, Shekerinska said six allies had also joined an initiative for the large-scale development and procurement of low-cost ground-launched cruise missiles. Shekerinska added that, together with 155 mm ammunition projects, the total value of the initiatives had reached approximately $1.6 billion.
Forum context
The announcement came as NATO allies gathered in the Turkish capital for the July 7-8 summit, where defence industrial capacity, ammunition production, deterrence and support for Ukraine are among the central agenda items. The NATO Summit Defence Industry Forum brings together senior alliance officials, allied and partner representatives, and industry leaders to discuss defence production, investment and innovation at a time when the alliance is pressing members to replenish stocks and increase output. The forum also saw Türkiye sign agreements in five strategic areas, including strike capabilities, integrated air and missile defence, space and surveillance, critical raw materials, and UAV superiority [citation needed].
Atmaca missile capabilities
The Atmaca family, developed by Turkish defence firm Roketsan, is among Türkiye’s key domestically produced missile programmes. The ground-launched Atmaca system is designed as a long-range cruise missile launched from tactical wheeled vehicles against strategic ground targets. According to Roketsan, the missile features high-precision strike capability, resistance to countermeasures, all-weather operational capability, mission planning, target update, retargeting and mission abort functions via data link. Türkiye has in recent years expanded its defence industry output across missiles, drones, air defence systems, armoured vehicles and ammunition, while positioning its domestic defence sector as a contributor to NATO’s collective deterrence and industrial resilience.
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