KARAOK Short-Range Tank Destroyer Weapon

KARAOK is a next-generation short-range anti-tank guided missile system developed by ROKETSAN, designed to be shoulder-launched by a single soldier and featuring a 2.5 km range with a fire-and-forget capability.

KARAOK Short-Range Anti-Tank Weapon (ROKETSAN)

Development Process

The KARAOK project was initiated in 2010 under the decision of the Defence Industry Executive Committee (SSİK), with ROKETSAN as the prime contractor.^【1】 The system was developed based on the knowledge and infrastructure gained from Türkiye’s UMTAS and OMTAS missiles, with the goal of eliminating dependence on foreign anti-tank systems such as the BGM-71 TOW, MILAN, and ERYX. Optimized to address the challenges of shoulder-launched platforms, the system achieved its initial operational capability (IOC) in 2020 and was formally inducted into the Turkish Land Forces inventory in 2022.^【2】

Technical Specifications and Variants

The KARAOK missile, including its launcher, weighs less than 25 kilograms and has a diameter of 125 mm.^【3】 The system operates effectively in all weather conditions, day or night, and is equipped with an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker head and an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) developed by ASELSAN. It allows for lock-on before and after launch, and its hybrid two-stage rocket motor (launch and flight phases) enables safe firing from enclosed spaces.

Technical Specifications Table

Compatible Munitions

• Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground Munitions: KARAOK is not designed as an air-to-air munition for engaging aerial targets. It is primarily intended for shoulder-launched and ground-based deployment. However, test launches have been conducted from unmanned aerial vehicles under the AGMOSS project.
• Electronic Warfare and Reconnaissance Systems: The system does not incorporate an internal electronic warfare suite. However, its IIR seeker head enables autonomous target tracking and lock-on (fire-and-forget) by detecting the thermal signature of the target.^【5】
• Domestic and Foreign Weapon Integration: The system is primarily carried by infantry (single soldier). In subsequent phases, it has been successfully integrated via the KMC-U (Tactical Missile Management System) onto Unmanned Ground Vehicles (PUSU, PALEM) and unmanned aerial systems. Additionally, it has been selected for integration onto Malaysia’s Cendana armored vehicles for the international market.

Military Applications

The primary mission of the system is to destroy modern main battle tanks, armored personnel carriers, and concrete bunkers. The "top attack" mode, which targets the thinner roof armor of tanks, grants the system the capability to penetrate heavy armor. Its lightweight design provides high mobility for infantry units, border security forces, and special operations teams operating in mountainous terrain, urban combat zones, and airborne or amphibious operations.

Future Potential Applications

Integration with unmanned ground vehicles (PUSU, PALEM) via the KMC-U under the AGMOSS architecture indicates that KARAOK will be extensively used in future urban and narrow-street operations for remote autonomous "first contact" missions, minimizing personnel exposure to risk.

Operational Missions Conducted

The KARAOK missile underwent four distinct operational user scenarios during acceptance and integration tests, successfully engaging all targets with direct hits. These tests confirmed its effectiveness against reactive armor.^【6】

KARAOK Missile (ROKETSAN)

Operational Experience

User feedback highlights the fire-and-forget principle as a key advantage. Once launched, the missile requires no further target updates, allowing soldiers to immediately change position or take cover. Its motor’s capability to enable firing from enclosed spaces enhances safety during infiltration operations.

Success Stories

The project, which ended Türkiye’s dependency on foreign short-range anti-tank systems, achieved its first export success by outperforming South Korea’s LIG Nex1 Raybolt and China’s Norinco HJ-12 systems in a Malaysian procurement competition.

Current Users and Orders

• Türkiye: Entered service with the Turkish Land Forces in 2022. An initial procurement plan for 330 units was established.^【7】
• Malaysia: Malaysia became the first international customer, ordering 18 command/launch units and over 100 missiles to replace its existing Metis-M systems. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026.

Performance Advantages and Limitations

Globally, KARAOK’s primary competitors include the U.S.-made FGM-148 Javelin and the Israeli-made Spike-SR missiles.^【8】

• Advantages: KARAOK weighs less than 16 kg, significantly lighter than the Javelin and Spike-SR systems, reducing logistical and mobility burdens for units. With an effective range of 2.5 km, it surpasses the Spike-SR’s 2 km range. Domestic production lowers unit cost and maintenance cycle expenses compared to foreign competitors.
• Limitations: At 2.5 km, KARAOK’s range is comparatively shorter than the Javelin’s approximately 4 km effective range.

Global Market Analysis and Competitive Position

The global market for anti-tank guided missiles is expanding due to declining unit costs and the broadening scope of targets beyond tanks. KARAOK’s selection over South Korea’s Raybolt and China’s HJ-12 in Malaysia’s procurement confirms its position as a viable global alternative to U.S. (Javelin) and Russian (Kornet) systems in the short-range missile segment.^【9】