ROKETSAN has shared a video showing the test firings of the LEVENT air defence system, which will undertake the close-in air defence of national naval platforms. In a post from the company's social media account, the system was introduced with the words: "The agile defence of the Blue Homeland, with its rapid reaction, high precision and effective interception capability against close-in aerial threats."
Close-In Air Defence for Naval Platforms
LEVENT is a close-in air defence system developed to protect naval platforms against aerial threats from low altitude. Based on a guided missile infrastructure, the system forms the last line of defence for warships. The ability to react rapidly against low-altitude threats such as UAVs, cruise missiles and helicopters in the naval environment is of critical importance. LEVENT's successful completion of test firings indicates that a significant threshold has been crossed on the path towards integration of the system onto naval platforms.
Critical Capability for MİLGEM and Next-Generation Vessels
Among LEVENT's target platforms are MİLGEM corvettes, İstif-class frigates and large naval platforms such as TCG Anadolu. Expected to replace the foreign-origin close-in air defence systems currently used on vessels in the Turkish Naval Forces inventory (such as RAM and Phalanx), LEVENT carries strategic importance in terms of reducing external dependency in this field. The adaptation of ROKETSAN's air defence missile experience – gained through the SUNGUR and HİSAR systems it previously developed – to naval platforms indicates the system's technical maturity.
With LEVENT entering the inventory, the Turkish Naval Forces' air defence capability in the Blue Homeland is expected to be significantly strengthened.
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