The Turkish Navy will begin the planned DENİZKURDU-II Exercise on 4 June across the Mediterranean, Aegean Sea, Sea of Marmara and Black Sea, with the first launch of the AKYA heavyweight torpedo among the exercise's key activities. The exercise will continue until 14 June.
Details of the exercise were presented during a press briefing in Gölcük, Kocaeli. According to information released ahead of the exercise, a total of 125 naval platforms, 60 aircraft and approximately 18,000 personnel will participate in the activity. The exercise will also involve nine submarines and around 450 submarine personnel.
One of the most significant milestones of DENİZKURDU-II will be the first live launch of the indigenous AKYA heavyweight torpedo against a target. AKYA was developed as an indigenous heavyweight torpedo for the Turkish Navy’s submarine fleet.
The exercise will also feature a live firing of the HİSAR-D RF air defence missile from the Istanbul-class frigate TCG İstanbul (F-515) in the Black Sea. The launch will be conducted from the frigate as part of the exercise's live-fire activities.
In addition, a ROKETSAN ATMACA anti-ship missile and several other missile systems are scheduled to be launched during the exercise. According to the official statement, all missile firings will be conducted against decommissioned real surface targets removed from operational service.
The exercise will provide a platform for the operational employment of several indigenous naval weapon systems, including AKYA, ATMACA and HİSAR-D RF, across multiple maritime theatres simultaneously.
