Turkey’s Roketsan Successfully Test-Fires LEVENT Point Defense Missile System

Turkey’s leading defense manufacturer, Roketsan, recently achieved a milestone with the first successful test-firing of its LEVENT Point Defense Missile System (PDMS). This event marked a crucial step in the development of Turkey's advanced naval defense capabilities. The test footage, released by Roketsan on social media, showcased the LEVENT system in action, highlighting the cutting-edge technology behind this sophisticated defense platform.

LEVENT’s Role in Naval Defense

The LEVENT system is designed to defend against high-speed, advanced aerial threats, including anti-ship missiles, drones, helicopters, and air-to-ground missiles. This capability is essential for modern naval operations, where ships are increasingly vulnerable to complex, multi-directional attacks. One of the most notable aspects of LEVENT is its ability to engage threats at various altitudes, from low-flying sea-skimming missiles to high-diving subsonic and supersonic projectiles.

Advanced Technology Behind LEVENT

The LEVENT system integrates a combination of fixed-face AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar and electro-optic sensors, providing a 360-degree surveillance and tracking capability. This comprehensive detection system ensures that no threat goes unnoticed, allowing the platform to react swiftly and accurately. The inclusion of AESA radar arrays, which are capable of detecting and tracking multiple targets at once, significantly enhances the system's ability to deal with high-speed and stealthy threats.

Another key component of LEVENT is its SUNGUR-derived missiles. These missiles, originally developed by Roketsan for use in other defense platforms, feature an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker for precise target acquisition. The LEVENT launcher holds up to eleven missiles, each with a range of approximately 11 kilometers and a diameter of 128 mm, giving the system considerable firepower and coverage against incoming attacks.

Flexibility and Operational Capabilities

One of LEVENT’s strengths is its flexibility. The system can operate both autonomously or in conjunction with a ship's onboard sensor suite, allowing for seamless integration into various naval platforms. Whether mounted on smaller vessels for independent defense or as part of a broader fleet defense system, LEVENT is adaptable to different operational scenarios, making it a versatile solution for modern naval warfare.

Roketsan first showcased the LEVENT system at the IDEF 2023 exhibition in İstanbul, where it generated considerable interest. It was later introduced internationally at DIMDEX 2024 in Qatar, signaling Turkey’s ambitions to become a leading supplier of advanced naval defense systems on the global stage. LEVENT is set to replace older systems like the RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) Close-In Weapon System, which many navies currently rely on for point defense against missile threats.

Competing Systems: GÖKSUR PDMS

Turkey’s defense industry has also been working on another point-defense system called GÖKSUR, developed by Aselsan and TUBITAK SAGE. Like LEVENT, GÖKSUR is designed to counter aerial threats, including anti-ship missiles, UAVs, and helicopters. It features a launcher with 12 BOZDOGAN missiles, a new-generation missile similar to the U.S. AIM-9 Sidewinder. With a 360-degree engagement capability and advanced IIR-guided missiles, GÖKSUR represents a parallel effort by Turkey to bolster its short-range air and missile defense systems.

While GÖKSUR and LEVENT share some similarities in their ability to detect and engage aerial threats, the LEVENT system stands out for its shorter-range missile platform and specific integration of SUNGUR missiles. Together, these systems represent a significant leap forward in Turkey’s ability to protect its naval assets from modern missile threats.

Conclusion

The successful test-firing of the LEVENT Point Defense Missile System signals a significant advancement in Turkey’s naval defense capabilities. With its ability to detect, track, and intercept a wide variety of aerial threats, the LEVENT system is set to become a vital asset for both Turkish and allied naval forces. By integrating cutting-edge radar technology, flexible operational modes, and high-precision missile systems, Roketsan's LEVENT positions itself as a key player in the next generation of close-in defense systems. As Turkey continues to develop advanced defense platforms, the LEVENT system showcases the country’s growing expertise and ambition in the global defense arena.