Sungur is a Turkish indigenously made self-propelled, low-level, short-range, surface-to-air missile system armed with PORSAV missiles.
Developed by Turkish weapons manufacturer and defence contractor Roketsan, the air defence missile system is used by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) to destroy aerial targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), cruise missiles, aircraft and helicopters.
Recommended White Papers
Recommended Buyers Guides
The Sungur missile system was developed to eventually replace the TAF’s existing Stinger POST (FIM-92B) and Stinger RMP (FIM92C) missile systems.
It provides short-range air defence to mobile and stationary ground forces and assets on the battlefield and its surroundings.
Project development timeline
The Turkish Ministry of National Defence (MoND) signed a contract with Roketsan for the portable air defence missile system (PHSFS) in September 2013. The project covers the design, development and production of the missile system.
The first firing tests of the missile system took place in 2018 and 2019. The weapon system successfully completed all firing tests and was declared ready to enter service, in July 2020.
The first batch of the shoulder-fired man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) version of Sungur was delivered to the TAF in July 2022.
Design and features
Sungur is a lock-on before launch, fire-and-forget missile system that can be integrated into different platforms. It can be launched off the shoulder of a soldier as well as from land and naval platforms and UAVs.
The Sungur guided weapon system, which is part of Turkey’s layered national air defence system, can be mounted on a multi-purpose VURAN 4×4 armoured vehicle built by Turkish defence manufacturer BMC.
The vehicle accommodates a gunner who launches the attack upon target identification. A control and display panel with a multi-function colour display and two joysticks in the vehicle assist the operator in target acquisition and firing.
The new air defence missile system offers the longest range in the class. It offers high manoeuvrability and asymmetric battle capability. It incorporates a user-friendly design, which provides the operator with a viewing and tracking screen.
Sungur provides a 360° coverage to detect and track targets. A 360° rotating gyro-stabilised air defence turret is mounted on the top of the armoured vehicle.
The electrically controlled turret holds two PORSAV missile launcher pods with a total ammunition load of four missiles. It can attack a target at a range between 500m and 8km, up to an altitude of 4km from sea level.
The air defence missile system’s shoot-on-the-move capability allows it to engage the target on the move.
Targeting system
The air defence system detects and tracks targets using the FLIR STAR SAFIRE 380 HLD, which comprises a laser designator and a range finder.
The laser designator illuminates wide areas to provide real-time situational awareness and precision targeting capabilities, while the range finder helps determine the target location. The STAR SAFIRE 380 HLD can operate in all conditions and during day and night.
Voice and symbology instructions are used to enable target acquisition and missile launch.
Warhead details
The weapon system is equipped with a high explosive, semi-armour piercing warhead. A programmable impact fuse is also fitted to initiate the detonation mechanism of the warhead.
PORSAV missiles
PORSAV is a fully autonomous fire and forget missile guided by Aselsan’s cooled imaging infrared (IIR) type seeker. The seeker provides ±40° visual angle, terminal guidance, and automatic target tracking. It is also designed to withstand countermeasures.
The missile can operate in lock-on before launch mode and features a minimum flight time. It is armed with a 3kg high-explosive semi-armour piercing warhead loaded with tungsten ball projectiles.
Engine details
The launch engine enables the separation of the missile from the launch tube. The flight engine consists of a two-stage solid propellant system.
The launch and flight engines are designed to meet the requirements of insensitive munitions and withstand bullet impacts and fuel fires.
Command and control system
The missile system is integrated with HERIKKS-6, an air defence early warning command and control system, which allows Sungur to receive information from external radars and use it to launch an attack.
Sungur’s command and control system also features identification friend or foe (IFF) equipment to detect and identify friendly forces on the battlefield.
