Türkiye continues to strengthen its defense industry with indigenous and national projects, reducing its dependence on foreign suppliers. One of the most significant achievements in this field is the New Generation National Heavyweight Torpedo, AKYA. Developed by Roketsan, AKYA is preparing for a historic milestone: its first live warhead firing test. Scheduled for December 26, 2023, the test will be conducted from the TCG Preveze submarine in the Gulf of Antalya, where a decommissioned vessel will serve as the target. This event is expected to demonstrate the growing capabilities of the Turkish Navy in undersea warfare.

AKYA has already completed several critical development phases. In March 2022, it successfully performed a test firing with the MÜREN combat management system, followed by a training shot on August 8, 2023. The upcoming live warhead test will be the ultimate proof of its operational readiness and strike capability.

From a technical perspective, AKYA stands out with a range of over 50 kilometers and a speed exceeding 45 knots. Its advanced guidance system and acoustic countermeasure resistance make it an effective weapon against both submarines and surface vessels. By entering active service, AKYA will replace U.S. and German-made torpedoes, ending Türkiye's dependency in this strategic field.

This milestone underlines the importance of Türkiye’s defense industry achievements and its ability to develop cutting-edge technologies with domestic resources. Once deployed, AKYA will significantly boost Türkiye's naval deterrence, enhancing its power projection and strengthening its position in regional and global security dynamics.