The Blue Homeland Is Entrusted to Them: Our National Sonar Systems

Türkiye, Mavi Vatan principle by embracing and implementing indigenous and national projects, strengthens its dominance at sea, building a powerful fleet that inspires trust among friends and fear among adversaries.

Notably, our first national warship TCG Heybeliada, our first national frigate TCG İstanbul, the world’s first UCAV ship TCG Anadolu, our first submarine with Air Independent Propulsion system TCG Piri Reis, and our first unmanned underwater vehicle MARLİN İDA have enabled us to develop maritime technologies using our own resources and establish a fully independent and original fleet in this domain.

In addition to our surface fleet’s deterrent capability, it is critical that we enhance our own indigenous capabilities and original designs to detect and warn against underwater threats.^【1】To better understand the strategic importance and advanced technology of our national sonar systems, I will examine national projects developed by institutions such as ASELSAN, METEKSAN, and TÜBİTAK.

Sonar, an acronym for Sound Navigation and Ranging, is a method that uses sound waves to detect the size, distance, and other characteristics of objects. ^【2】

Sonar technologies hold a vital position in the defense industry and have become a market worth billions of dollars today. When we consider the advanced underwater defense technologies deployed in the submarine fleets of developed nations and the rapid pace of their evolution, it becomes clear that underwater threats are increasing and responding to them is growing more difficult. This underscores the importance of Anti-Submarine Warfare. For Anti-Submarine Warfare, which involves detecting, classifying, tracking, and neutralizing enemy submarine units, sonar systems—utilizing sound waves transmitted underwater—are the most fundamental method.^【3】

Sonar systems are categorized into active, passive, and imaging sonar systems.

• The operating principle of active sonar systems closely resembles that of radar. Sound waves generated at different frequency bands are transmitted underwater. When these waves encounter an obstacle, they reflect back to the system based on the position and angular characteristics of the object struck, thereby detecting targets or surfaces.
• In passive sonar systems, the sound waves emitted directly by the target are detected to determine its location and other characteristic data.
• Synthetic Aperture Sonar is an imaging technology that combines echoes from sequential acoustic transmissions along a path to create long sonar arrays and achieve high-resolution imaging of the environment. In military applications, it enables easy detection of underwater mines through active acoustic transmission.
• Side-scan sonar, another imaging sonar technology, enables mapping of large areas of the seafloor, rapid scanning of suspicious zones, and clear identification of objects on the seabed. ^【4】

Developed by METEKSAN under the MİLGEM project, the YAKAMOS sonar system was designed to meet the requirements of the ADA-class corvettes and is mounted on the underwater hull of the vessel. Critical components have been designed and manufactured domestically. It successfully fulfills its role as the sonar system of the MİLGEM Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette by detecting and tracking underwater threats.^【5】

To meet contemporary standards and achieve operational superiority, defense systems and products must remain up to date. Leveraging the expertise and competence gained from the YAKAMOS system, YAKAMOS 2020 has been developed with a more modern, high-performance, and modular architecture.^【6】

Developed by ASELSAN using indigenous and national capabilities, DÜFAS is Türkiye’s first and only towed sonar and also the first over-the-horizon anti-submarine warfare sonar.^【7】 With its deployable towed structure that can adjust depth, the system can reach layers where threats may be concealed. Low-frequency sound waves travel long distances underwater without significant energy loss. DÜFAS possesses active and passive sonar capabilities that allow it to transmit signals in all directions, enabling long-range detection of underwater threats, neutralization of torpedo threats via Torpedo Countermeasure options, and provision of the optimal evasion tactic.^【8】

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Developed at the TÜBİTAK MAM Underwater Acoustics Laboratory, Türkiye’s most capable facility in underwater acoustic technologies, BOSS is a multi-functional medium and low-frequency sonar system designed for surface platforms. Critical components such as ceramic materials are being developed domestically, while the software is developed by BİLGEM.^【9】 The project aims to integrate domestically developed medium-frequency hull-mounted and towed low-frequency sonar systems to achieve a Multistatic Sonar capability, enabling detection of underwater targets at significantly greater distances. BOSS is targeted for full integration with the Combat Management System (SYS) and deployment on the TF-2000 Air Defense Frigate.^【10】

Led by METEKSAN, MİLSAS is Türkiye’s first indigenous and nationally developed synthetic aperture sonar system, capable of high-resolution detection of seabed and underwater targets. Using high-frequency sound waves, it produces clear and sharp underwater images and can perform diverse missions such as mine detection and seabed mapping thanks to its wide coverage area. ^【11】

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Thanks to our national sonar systems, milestones in our underwater defense vision, our seas are safer, more independent, and more powerful. The unique and advanced technologies integrated into our naval systems serve as tangible proof of both our deterrent power in the Mavi Vatan and the high level achieved by Turkish engineering.