(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Malaysia has become the second Southeast Asian nation, following Indonesia, to adopt the “ATMACA” anti-ship missile, through the acquisition of three Littoral Mission Ships (LMS) Batch 2, which will be constructed by the Turkish company Savunma Teknolojieri Muhendiskil (STM).
Developed by ROKETSAN, the “ATMACA” missile is capable of hitting targets up to 250 km away.
STM’s general manager, Ozger Guleryuz, stated that the construction and outfitting of the LMS Batch 2 vessels will take place in Turkey, involving close collaboration with various firms from the Turkish defense sector.
Guleryuz noted that the construction of the LMS Batch 2 vessels will begin this year, with STM aiming to deliver all three warships to the Royal Malaysian Navy within 3.5 years.
These ships will be based on the ADA-class corvette design, which has proven reliable and effective in international waters.
According to Guleryuz, the LMS Batch 2 vessels will be integrated with advanced systems developed by approximately 50 companies, including prominent names like ASELSAN, HAVELSAN, and ROKETSAN.
The LMS Batch 2 vessels will feature sophisticated weaponry, sensors, and command and control systems, enabling the Royal Malaysian Navy to effectively execute various missions.
“As the prime contractor, STM will collaborate with the Turkish defense sector on equipment such as the Combat Management System; Fire Control System to be supplied by HAVELSAN; as well as 3D Search Radar, Fire Control Radar, IFF, 30mm Gun, ESM and Chaff Decoy systems, and other electronic sensors to be supplied by ASELSAN,” Guleryuz explained.
“ROKETSAN will provide the Surface-to-Surface ATMACA Guided Missile System.”
He added that the LMS Batch 2 vessels could undertake various tasks including Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW), Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Asymmetric Warfare (ASYW), and Electronic Warfare (EW), utilizing the most advanced Sensor and Weapons Suite and Command and Control Systems.
The “ATMACA” missile, which ranges in length from 4.3 to 5.2 meters and weighs 750 kg, can target up to 250 km away, compared to the 130 km range of the American-made “Harpoon Block II” anti-ship missile.
The “Exocet Block III” missile, another competitor, can target up to 200 km.
The Turkish-made anti-ship missile system employs an Inertial Navigation System (INS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) for guidance.
According to ROKETSAN, the “ATMACA” missile can operate autonomously, has a low radar cross-section (RCS), is all-weather capable, and can counter various countermeasures.
It also features capabilities for 3D mission planning, target updates, and mission-abort through datalink.
The “ATMACA” was developed by ROKETSAN over the past decade but was only revealed to the public in 2019.
In 2023, Turkey announced that it would replace the American-made “Harpoon” anti-ship missile system, used by 11 of its warships, with the locally developed “ATMACA.”
This move underscores the Mediterranean country’s commitment to self-reliance in producing its own defense systems and components.
The locally made “ATMACA” missile is set to replace over 350 aging “Harpoon” missiles, with integration expected to be completed by 2027.
Turkey anticipates saving approximately US$500 million (RM2.25 billion) by replacing the “Harpoon” missiles with the “ATMACA.”
In late January this year, Indonesia reportedly awarded a contract to its local company, PT Republik Defensindo, to acquire 45 “Atmaca” missiles from ROKETSAN of Turkey. — DSA