Türkiye has achieved another major breakthrough in its defense and missile technology. The SOM (Stand-Off Missile), developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE, has successfully conducted a live-fire test using its indigenous turbojet engine, striking its target with pinpoint accuracy. The test marks a defining moment in Türkiye’s pursuit of full technological independence within the framework of its National Technology Initiative (Milli Teknoloji Hamlesi).

Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır announced the achievement on social media, emphasizing that the SOM’s new configuration with a locally produced engine minimizes foreign dependency in one of Türkiye’s most advanced missile systems. “Our national pride, SOM, has hit the target with full precision using its domestically developed turbojet engine. This success is not just a technological milestone, but the result of thousands of engineers’ dedication, scientists’ passion, and the limitless dreams of our youth,” Kacır said. He added that the success symbolizes Türkiye’s growing capacity to develop and produce critical propulsion and guidance technologies entirely at home.

Haluk Görgün, President of the Defense Industry Agency (SSB), also highlighted the strategic importance of the test. “SOM, which achieved a direct hit using an indigenous turbojet engine, is not just a technological success but a decisive step toward a fully independent Türkiye,” Görgün said. He praised the collective effort of TÜBİTAK, Kale Jet Engines, ROKETSAN, and the many engineers, technicians, and scientists involved, calling the project “a reflection of patience, expertise, and institutional synergy.”

The SOM missile family, known for its stealth design, precision strike capability, and long range, has already proven itself as one of the Turkish Armed Forces’ key strike assets. With the integration of a domestically developed propulsion system, the missile’s production and export potential are expected to expand significantly. Defense experts note that this advancement also lays the groundwork for Türkiye’s future supersonic and hypersonic missile programs, marking a leap in propulsion technology.

This successful test not only underscores Türkiye’s engineering excellence but also strengthens its strategic autonomy. With each achievement like SOM’s indigenous engine integration, the vision of a “Fully Independent Türkiye” in defense becomes increasingly tangible.