Turkey: SOM-J missiles could be used on future Turkish fighter and UAVs instead of F-35.

Turkish SOM-J missiles developped for the F-35 fighter jet could be used with Turkey's locally developed national combat aircraft and UAVS, the country's industry and technology minister said on August 3.

SOM-J missile (Picture source: Roketsan)

SOM-J is an air-to-surface missile to be used against heavily defended, high-value ASuW and land targets such as SAM sites, exposed aircrafts, strategic assets, command and control centers, and naval vessels. Its modular design supports the required operational flexibility.

Two countries developed the SOM-J cruise missile, said Mustafa Varank during a press briefing at the 22nd National Sky Observation Festival in Antalya.

"If the countries in the F-35 program want to buy this type of cruise missile, we can easily sell these missiles even if we are out of the program," he added.

Turkey's locally-produced SOM-J cruise missile can also be integrated into Akıncı UAVs produced by Turkish company Baykar, said Varank, adding that the apex of the UAV project would be to produce unmanned combat aircraft.

"This is the future of UAVs. I believe Akıncı will have a huge multiplier effect in our defense industry," he said.