Türkiye’s defense industry has achieved another significant milestone with the latest test of the ŞİMŞEK High-Speed Target Drone System. According to Defense Industry Agency (SSB) President Haluk Görgün, the ŞİMŞEK K variant—developed by TUSAŞ (Turkish Aerospace Industries)—successfully performed its first-ever ground launch using Rocket-Assisted Take-Off (RATO) technology. This achievement marks a critical step toward greater flexibility in deployment, eliminating the need for conventional runways and enabling field-based operations. The platform has now been validated for dual roles: as a high-speed target drone and as a kamikaze strike system.

RATO integration dramatically reduces launch preparation time and logistical dependency. With this capability, ŞİMŞEK can be deployed from mobile launchers or forward-deployed units without requiring airbase infrastructure. This allows air defense units to conduct realistic threat simulations, test radar and fire-control systems, and evaluate interception effectiveness under operational conditions. Furthermore, the ability to switch between target and kamikaze roles on the same airframe creates a versatile, cost-effective system that supports both training and tactical missions while simplifying maintenance and logistics.

The newly demonstrated mission set enhances training scenarios for Türkiye’s air defense forces and provides a low-cost precision strike capability when configured for kamikaze operations. Thanks to its modular design, ŞİMŞEK can be launched from trailers, ground vehicles, or even naval platforms, embodying the principle of “deploy anywhere, launch fast, execute immediately.” Developed entirely with indigenous technology, this advancement strengthens Türkiye’s deterrence capability and positions the system as a competitive export product in the global market.

When integrated into command-and-control networks, ŞİMŞEK expands operational flexibility by simulating diverse threat profiles, testing electronic warfare countermeasures, and enabling live-fire evaluations. In kamikaze mode, the drone can engage dynamic targets swiftly, demonstrating short-reaction precision strike potential. The success of the latest test confirms that ŞİMŞEK is rapidly maturing into a multi-role aerial system, combining training efficiency with real-world operational utility—a hallmark of Türkiye’s advancing defense innovation.