During Euronaval 2024, ROKETSAN Launcher Systems Manager Mustafa Özdemir talked about versions of MİDLAS VLS being developed for different needs.
Özdemir, speaking at the presentation titled "Recent Developments in Turkish Naval Industry: Advances and Challenges", has revealed that several different configurations of MİDLAS are being worked on for various applications.
MİDLAS has been known to be under development in tactical and strike lengths depending on the platform with eight-cell and single-cell packages.
Özdemir stated that the single-cell configuration is being developed for OPVs (Might be referring to the Hisar-class OPVs with provision for HİSAR air defence missiles). Due to the smaller size of such warships, an eight-cell package might not always be available.
In addition to a single-cell configuration, it has been confirmed that another one is being developed for MİLDEN to launch cruise missiles. TurDef previously spotted a model of MİLDEN with VLS at SAHA EXPO 2024. Strike length MİDLAS will be capable of launching ATMACA anti-ship missiles and GEZGİN long-range cruise missiles for ASuW or land attack missions.
Speaking on the matters of missile integration, Mustafa Özdemir stated that the SİPER Product 1 long-range air defence missile will be integrated this year, not long after the firing test of the HİSAR-D missile from TCG İstanbul (F-515) frigate. He added that SİPER Product 2 will be launched from the strike-length MİDLAS due to its larger size.
SİPER Product 1's high degree of commonality with the HİSAR-RF missile can be given as a major factor in the pace of integration. The range of 100+ km will provide İstif-class frigates with the long-range air defence capability that most frigates in its weight class lack.
In addition to SİPER missiles, ROKETSAN is developing the G/M-1 quad-packable missile with improved capabilities compared to HİSAR-D. These include an AESA RF seeker and reworked guidance algorithms against supersonic or low-observable anti-ship missiles.
