On August 16, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs released a report detailing recent foreign military sale (FMS) approvals. According to the report, the U.S. government approved the FMS of 94 RIM-116 missiles for the Turkish Navy.
According to the report, the FMS, valued at $90 million, includes the sale of 94 Mk 44 MOD 4 (tactical) RAM Guided Missile Round Packs, 3 Mk 47 MOD 9 telemeter missiles, and 1 blast test vehicle. The package also covers transportation and storage containers, as well as technical data from the U.S. Navy’s RAM Program Office on behalf of RAM-System GmbH (RAMSYS) for the Turkish Navy.
Naval News reached out to RAMSYS for comments and transfer schedule but the company declined to comment.
The missiles will be deployed on the Turkish Navy’s ADA-class corvettes, which are equipped with the RAM point defence missile system as part of their self-defence capabilities. Originally, the system was intended to be installed on I-class frigates, but after U.S. sanctions were imposed, the Turkish defence industry opted to mount the indigenous Gökdeniz 35-mm close-in weapon system (CIWS) on the TCG Istanbul instead.
To address the point defence needs of Turkish surface combatants, Aselsan is developing the Göksur, and Roketsan is working on the Levent point defence missile systems. Both systems are currently in the development phase and are expected to begin trials soon.
About RAM (Rolling Airframe Missile) PDMS
The RAM guided missile weapon system is a modern ship self-defence weapon and is designed to provide exceptional protection for ships of all sizes. It’s currently deployed on more than 165 ships in 11 countries.
A supersonic, lightweight, quick-reaction, fire-and-forget weapon, the RAM system is designed to destroy anti-ship missiles. Requiring no additional direction upon launch, its passive radio frequency and infrared guidance design provide high firepower to engage multiple threats simultaneously. The missile is continually improved to stay ahead of the ever-evolving threat of anti-ship missiles, helicopters, aircraft and surface craft.
The system uses the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile airframe, warhead and rocket motor, a Sidewinder-derived laser-pulsing proximity fuze, an IR seeker from the FIM-92 Stinger, and a contact fuze derived from the US Navy’s RIM-66/67 Standard missile.
Specifications:
- Length: 2.82m
- Diameter: 127mm
- Weight: 73.5kg
- Range: 5.4 nautical miles
- Warhead: 10kg HE blast fragmentation
- Guidance: passive, radar, IR
- Propulsion: solid propellant
