World military today (July 25): Cruise missiles...

Today's world military (July 25) has the following content: What is outstanding about Turkey's new submarine-launched cruise missile? Ukraine launches Chaklun-B 2.0 UAV; Denmark orders VL MICA vertical launch air defense system.

* What is special about Türkiye's new submarine-launched cruise missile?

Türkiye recently officially launched Akata, a submarine-launched cruise missile developed by Roketsan.

Based on the Atmaca anti-ship missile, the Akata is designed with a sealed casing to be launched from a depth of 15-60m through a standard 533mm torpedo tube. After surfacing, the casing will separate, and the missile will continue to fly to the target using a solid fuel booster and a turbojet engine.

Akata retains the tactical specifications of Atmaca, including a range of over 250km, a 220kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead, and the ability to attack both sea and land targets. The missile is 7m long, weighs 1,200kg, and has a diameter of 533mm, integrating a modern guidance system including inertial guidance, GPS, and an active radar seeker. The missile also supports mid-flight target updates via data link, re-attacks, or mission aborts when necessary.

The new missile will enable Turkish submarines to attack mobile or stationary targets without surfacing, thereby improving survivability and creating an element of surprise in combat. Photo: Army Recognition

The missile was successfully test-fired for the first time from the Turkish Navy's Preveze-class submarine TCG Preveze (S-353) earlier this year. Video footage of the test showed the missile leaving the launch tube, surfacing, separating from its casing, and entering cruise mode.

According to defense officials, the Akata was developed to enhance the navy's strategic flexibility, allowing submarines to conduct long-range attacks without surfacing, thereby reducing the risk of detection and improving survivability. Its sea-skimming configuration, small radar cross-section, and precise guidance help the missile penetrate enemy defenses effectively.

The Akata is expected to replace the US-made UGM-84 Sub-Harpoon missiles, in line with the strategy of reducing dependence on imported weapons. The missile shares production facilities with other Roketsan cruise missile lines, and has export potential if it meets the platform requirements of foreign navies.

* Ukraine launched UAV Chaklun-B 2.0

At the IDEF 2025 international defense exhibition taking place in Turkey, Ukraine launched the Chaklun-B 2.0 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), as a strategic solution for long-range missions.

A product of Spets Techno Export, Chaklun-B 2.0 has a wingspan of 3.5m and a body length of 3.9m, carrying a payload of 20-35kg. This UAV is designed for transport, reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance missions deep in enemy territory or inaccessible areas. This fixed-wing platform can fly continuously for 8 hours with a minimum range of 500km, is launched by catapult and lands precisely without a runway. The birth of Chaklun-B 2.0 is to meet the increasing demand for durability and autonomy in modern combat missions.

Chaklun-B 2.0 can be deployed by border guards, special forces or civil defense support. Photo: Army Recognition

Initially, Chaklun-B 2.0 was developed by Spets Techno Export to solve logistical difficulties. Unlike previous UAV models or homemade devices put into use, Chaklun-B 2.0 was developed systematically, aiming at dual goals, serving both military and civilian purposes.

Compared to reconnaissance UAVs such as the US RQ-20 Puma or Israel's Skylark III, the Chaklun-B 2.0 stands out with its ability to combine reconnaissance and transport. The advantage of this platform is the ability to deploy from areas with simple infrastructure while still ensuring a large range and flight time, providing a cost-effective solution without affecting mission time or payload flexibility.

According to Army Recognition, Chaklun-B 2.0 can be deployed by border guards, special forces or civil defense support. The introduction of this platform at IDEF 2025 is considered a step to expand Ukraine's defense cooperation with Türkiye and NATO markets, in the context of UAVs reshaping defense procurement strategies globally.

* Denmark orders VL MICA vertical launch air defense system

On July 24, Denmark's defense procurement agency signed a contract with French group MBDA to purchase two VL MICA complexes, marking the first step in the country's plan to build its ground-based air defense capabilities.

The two systems are expected to be delivered in mid-2026, with operational capability expected by the end of 2026, each operated by around 30 soldiers. The purchase is part of a $2.75-3.6 billion investment by Denmark, which aims to restore its ground-based air defence capabilities since the country retired the HAWK system in 2004, pending the deployment of longer-term systems such as the SAMP/T NG or Patriot PAC-3 MSE.

Each VL MICA launcher contains 4 missiles, can attack 4 targets at the same time in 6 seconds, with an intercept range of 20km and an altitude of up to 9,100m. Photo: Danish Ministry of Defense

VL MICA is a vertical launch short-range air defense system, capable of intercepting cruise missiles, guided bombs, UAVs, helicopters and aircraft within a range of 20km, at altitudes of up to 9,100m. Each launcher contains 4 missiles, which can lock on 4 different targets in just 6 seconds. Deployment time is about 10 minutes, reloading within 15 minutes. The system uses infrared seekers or active radar.

Each VL MICA complex consists of a command post, a 3D radar, 3-6 launchers and an operations center. The complexes will be deployed at the Skalstrup and Skrydstrup bases and can be quickly mobilized according to actual requirements.

In parallel with the system procurement, Denmark is also stepping up recruitment and training of personnel. The first complexes are expected to be operational in the next few years.

TRAN HOAI (synthesis)

* Today's World Military column on the People's Army Electronic Newspaper sends readers the latest information on world military security and defense activities in the past 24 hours.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/quan-su-the-gioi-hom-nay-25-7-ten-lua-hanh-trinh-phong-tu-tau-ngam-moi-cua-tho-nhi-ky-co-gi-noi-bat-383630.html