Turkey Tests Two Indigenous Air-to-air Missiles to Replace AMRAAM, Sidewinder

Turkey tested two indigenous air-to-air missiles in the Black Sea province of Sinop last weekend, the Anadolou news agency reported.

The short- and medium-range Gokdogan  and the long-range Bozgodan were fired at their targets in the Black Sea.

The Gokdogan and Bozgodan missiles, developed by the Defense Industries Research and Development Institute (SAGE) and the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK), were unveiled during the 13th International Defense Industry Fair held in Istanbul in May 2017.

They have been developed as direct replacement for US-made AMRAAM and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Turkey is a major customer for US weapons but recent straining of relations over the purchase of Russian-made S-400 anti-missile systems has made Ankara to look at other sources of weapons.

The Turkish military also plans to fire missiles at moving targets from stationary launchers and conduct a series of tests of air-launched missiles later this year.

In May 2017 Turkey tested a domestically manufactured mobile short-range ballistic missile, the Bora (Storm), at its range in Sinop.