IDEF 2017: TWO NEW AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES REVEALED
Two new air to air missiles (AAMs) were unveiled on the first day of IDEF in Istanbul, Turkey. The exhibition which is taking place from May 9-12 is seeing unprecedented policing, due to the security situation in the country.
Almost immediately after the 11am opening ceremony, Turkey’s Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim visited the Tubitak SAGE (Defence Industry Research and Development Institute) to unveil the Peregrin Within Visual Range (WVR) and Merlin Beyond Visual Range AAMs.
They are first the such weapons to be developed by Turkish industry, as it works to fulfil all the indigenous needs for the Turkish fighter (TF-X) programme, well into the next decade. Both missiles have been undergoing development since 2012, under Project Goktug, according to the Turbitak Director, Erdal Cakmak. He indicated that both missiles should be integrated and test fired within the next two years.