(VIDEO) Malaysia to Receive First Batch of ROKETSAN’s “KARAOK” Anti-Tank Guided Missiles in 2026

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Turkish defense company, ROKETSAN, is set to deliver the first batch of its new medium-range anti-tank guided missile system, ‘KARAOK’, to the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) in early 2026.

ROKETSAN’s Regional Manager for Central and Far East Asia, Chumur Murat Boz, stated that with this delivery, Malaysia will be the first foreign country to receive the latest medium-range anti-tank guided missile from the company, which is also used by the Turkish military.

“There is a great demand for mobile anti-tank systems and air defense worldwide. Malaysia will be our first delivery for KARAOK. Last year we signed the contract and according to the contract, it will be delivered in early 2026.”

“We do not see MAF as just customers but as our strategic partners…we want to add value and contribute to the safety and sovereignty of Malaysia and its armed forces,” he said.

He made these remarks to the national news agency Bernama, at the recently concluded DSA & NATSEC 2024 event.

According to him, ROKETSAN will provide intensive training programs to MAF personnel prior to the delivery of KARAOK.

“We will also provide training for trainers so that they can train others,” he said, adding that it will be conducted through simulators and real-world exercises.

In addition to the “fire and forget” mode, the ‘KARAOK’ anti-tank guided missile also has the capability to engage targets directly and through a “top attack” method against upper side of the armored vehicle known to have low armor resistance.

The “top attack” method ensures that ‘KARAOK’ is capable of destroying almost all main battle tanks currently in operation.

The ‘KARAOK’ anti-tank guided missile is also known for its capabilities similar to the FGM-148 “Javelin” guided missile.

 

The FGM-148 “Javelin” guided missile was jointly developed by U.S. defense firms Lockheed Martin and RTX (formerly known as Raytheon).

The ‘KARAOK’ anti-tank guided missile system is of 125mm calibre capable of engaging targets between 2.5km to 4km and is equipped with an Imaging Infrared Seeker guidance system and an armor-piercing tandem warhead explosive.

The components of the ‘KARAOK’ medium-range anti-tank guided missile system include the Command Launch Unit (CLU), which is reusable like the Javelin system, and its guided missiles.

Last year, the Malaysian Ministry of Defense confirmed that it had selected the ‘KARAOK’ anti-tank guided missile system manufactured by ROKETSAN from Turkey to meet the Army’s requirements for a medium-range anti-tank guided missile system.

This was confirmed by the CEO of Ketech Asia, which is a local partner of ROKETSAN, to international defense media, Janes.

The procurement agreement between the Malaysian Ministry of Defense and ROKETSAN has been signed, and Malaysia will receive 18 launcher units of the system with more than 100 ‘KARAOK’ anti-tank guided missiles ordered.

Malaysia is the first export customer to select the ‘KARAOK’ anti-tank guided missile system from ROKETSAN in Turkey for its armed forces.

‘KARAOK’ will replace the ‘Metis-M’ (AT-13 Saxhorn) medium-range anti-tank guided missile system manufactured by Russia, which has been used by the Malaysian Army for the past 20 years.

The selection of the anti-tank guided missile system from Turkey follows a tender by the Malaysian Ministry of Defense to acquire 18 units of medium-range anti-tank guided missile systems.

The tender also included indoor and outdoor simulators and various test equipment. — DSA