Turkish Roketsan Çakır inter-service cruise missile
The Turkish company Roketsan A.Ş. offers potential customers a wide range of missiles to address various combat missions. Several years ago, it first unveiled the promising Çakır multirole, inter-service cruise missile. Since then, this missile has undergone testing and demonstrated its capabilities, but has yet to attract any interest from customers.
Exhibition rocket
Development of the future Chakir product began no later than the early 1920s. The project's existence was first announced on March 31, 2022. On that day, Roketsan opened another production site, and on the occasion, it didn't forget to boast about its achievements.
A promotional video for the new Çakır project was released. Using computer graphics, it showcased the basic operating principles and advantages of the future missile. At that time, the project was nearing completion. On March 31, a contract was signed to develop a new turbojet engine for the missile. Its development was entrusted to Kale Arge (now Kale Jet Motorları).
According to plans at the time, the first test launch of the new rocket was scheduled for the end of the year. Testing and design refinement were expected to take about a year and a half, after which serial production could begin. However, this was only supposed to begin if orders were placed.
That same year, Roketsan began promoting the new missile internationally. A mockup of the Çakır missile was first unveiled at the Farnborough 2022 exhibition in the UK. The mockup was subsequently shown at other similar events. The most recent demonstration to potential customers took place just a few days ago, at the DIMDEX 2026 exhibition in Qatar.
Roketsan has largely fulfilled its previously announced plans. It conducted the necessary tests and then began preparing the line for serial production. In July 2024, it was announced that the production line had been completed and that missile production had even begun. However, such news have not yet received a continuation. Furthermore, it was not reported for which client production had allegedly begun.
The developer highly values its new rocket and claims it has a bright future. Such assessments are understandable and predictable. However, they are not borne out by practice. Almost four years have passed since the Chakir's debut, and during this time, Roketsan, as far as is known, has not received a single order for serial production.
However, Roketsan remains optimistic. It believes the cross-species cruise missile is still capable of attracting customer interest. Therefore, it continues to showcase the Çakır at various exhibitions and awaits expert feedback. How long this advertising campaign will continue and how it will end remains unknown.
Technical features
The Çakır is a subsonic cruise missile compatible with various launch vehicles and capable of engaging a variety of targets at significant ranges. Its development utilized well-known and proven solutions, as well as several new ideas. The manufacturer believes this design approach has resulted in a successful combination of technical characteristics and combat capabilities.
The rocket has a traditional for such weapons Appearance. It is constructed in a cylindrical fuselage with a transparent hemispherical nose fairing. The central section features an X-shaped, trapezoidal folding wing, while the tail houses rudders of a similar layout but a different shape. Below the tail of the fuselage is an air intake in a protruding fairing.
Launch from Bayraktar Akıncı UAV
The missile's overall length is 3,3 meters. Its body diameter is 275 mm. For use on certain platforms, the munition is proposed to be equipped with a booster motor, which increases its length to 4,1 meters. The Chakir's launch weight is 275 kg. The booster motor adds an additional 55 kg.
The compact KTJ-1750 turbojet engine was developed specifically for the Çakır missile. It is designed to propel the missile to speeds of 0,8-0,85 Mach. Depending on the flight profile, a range of at least 150 km can be achieved. A solid-fuel booster motor has also been developed to provide lift from a ground/surface launch site and initial acceleration before the turbojet engine engages.
The Chakir is equipped with a combined control and guidance system suited to its intended missions. To navigate to a target using known coordinates, the autopilot uses inertial and interference-resistant satellite navigation, as well as a reference map of the terrain. It also features a barometric and radar altimeter. Target acquisition and target acquisition are accomplished using infrared and active radar homing heads.
The missile is equipped with a two-way radio communication system with the launch vehicle. During flight, it can receive commands and transmit telemetry and other information. Specifically, it can be retargeted after launch to another target within a specified sector.
Group deployment capabilities are also reported. In this case, several Çakır missiles would form a "swarm" and exchange data. Several missiles would reportedly be able to independently or under operator control assign targets and carry out joint strikes on designated targets.
Modification for helicopter
The missile's payload reaches 70 kg. Several warhead types with different effects have been developed for it. Depending on the target, a high-explosive fragmentation, thermobaric, or penetrating high-explosive warhead is used. These warheads should effectively destroy individual and group ground targets, ships, etc.
The Chakir missile was developed for use by various carriers. Thus, it will be able to be used by all modern tactical aircraft. aviation Turkish Air Force. Promotional materials consistently mention the Bayraktar Akıncı heavy UAV as a future carrier.
The modification of the rocket with a booster engine is primarily intended for existing and future Turkish ships. fleetIt is also proposed to use it on helicopters. Development of a ground-based missile system on a vehicle chassis is also possible.
Each deployment option requires the use of different warheads and guidance methods. For example, aviation can utilize any warhead variant, while the navy is most interested in the anti-ship version. However, the customer has a wide range of options and can independently determine the specifics of missile deployment based on their missions and needs.
Based on existing developments
Roketsan A.Ş. has long been developing missiles of various classes for all major branches of the armed forces. A number of these models have been adopted by the Turkish and foreign armies. However, the company is not resting on its laurels and continues to work on new projects.
Hypothetical land-based missile system
The Çakır inter-service guided missile, first unveiled several years ago, is intended to continue the existing line of similar weapons. However, this missile has several interesting features that distinguish it from other missiles and should also provide it with significant advantages.
Thus, as part of the new project, Roketsan has developed not a specialized munition for specific carriers, but a universal weapon. The Chakir is proposed for use in aviation, including unmanned aircraft, in the navy, and in the army. It is expected that such standardization will provide clear advantages in terms of production, supply, and deployment.
Furthermore, the Çakır missile utilizes a modular design. It is claimed that the control systems can be modified and multiple warhead types can be used. This allows a single missile to be converted into several different missiles with distinct combat capabilities. It is claimed that the Çakır, in its various configurations, can be equally effective against land and sea targets, both stationary and mobile.
In recent years, the Roketsan Çakır rocket has undergone the necessary testing, and the developer has even set up a production line. Overall, this can be considered a success. However, it appears the rocket has not progressed beyond this point. The developer has announced the launch of production, but there is no information yet on orders.
For unknown reasons, the Turkish Armed Forces are reluctant to purchase the Çakir and deploy it with existing launch vehicles. Foreign countries, despite interest at exhibitions, have also not placed orders. The reason for the lack of demand for this promising missile is unknown. Perhaps the advertising information about it is not entirely accurate, and/or there are other factors that are discouraging buyers.
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