Analysis: Türkiye Expands Sea Strike Options With Roketsan’s TRLG-122 Guided Rockets Mounted On Pickups.

On August 19, 2025, Turkish defense company Roketsan reported a landmark test of its TRLG-122 laser-guided artillery rocket, launching the system from a pickup truck for the first time and striking a stationary sea target. The trial showcased how a highly mobile light platform can expand the tactical use of 122 mm precision-guided munitions, a development that could reshape the employment of artillery rockets in irregular and conventional warfare alike. The news highlights a growing emphasis on adaptable, low-cost solutions that retain precision and survivability on modern battlefields.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The successful demonstration of the TRLG-122 from a pickup platform underscores how Roketsan is reshaping the role of artillery rockets in modern combat. By combining precision with mobility, the system bridges the gap between traditional multiple rocket launchers and improvised technicals, providing a scalable solution for both state and irregular forces (Picture source: Roketsan)

The TRLG-122 is an advanced derivative of Roketsan’s TRG-122, equipped with an inertial navigation system and a laser seeker for pinpoint strikes. Weighing 76 kilograms with a 13.5-kilogram blast-fragmentation warhead, the rocket achieves a range of 13 to 30 kilometers and a circular error probable of less than two meters. Traditionally carried in pods of 12 or 24 on truck-based MLRS, the system’s adaptation for pickup deployment required lighter twin canisters, with a maximum potential of up to six rockets depending on payload capacity. This demonstrates Roketsan’s approach to enhancing flexibility without sacrificing accuracy, aligning the system with battlefield demands for rapid mobility and concealment.

The operational history of 122 mm rockets is deeply tied to saturation fire from systems such as the Soviet BM-21 Grad, which employs 40 tubes on a heavy 6x6 or 8x8 truck. Roketsan’s innovation follows a broader trend of adaptation seen in Ukraine, Syria, and Libya, where technicals have been fitted with improvised launchers for hit-and-run rocket attacks in confined or rugged terrain. By integrating precision guidance into such a concept, the TRLG-122 elevates the practice from improvised guerrilla tactics to a formalized and export-ready capability. Unlike legacy Grad salvos designed for area suppression, the pickup-mounted TRLG-122 offers selective strikes with high survivability, reducing exposure to counter-battery fire and aerial reconnaissance.

The advantages of the pickup configuration lie in its speed, maneuverability, and concealment compared to traditional launchers. While firepower is limited compared to full MLRS batteries, the combination of laser precision and “shoot-and-scoot” mobility introduces a disruptive alternative for forces operating in contested environments. In this sense, the TRLG-122 mirrors the historical evolution of other artillery systems where mobility became decisive, much like the transition from towed to self-propelled guns in the mid-20th century. Roketsan’s approach suggests that the future of guided rockets will not only depend on range and warhead size, but also on how flexibly they can be deployed across diverse platforms, from trucks to unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs).

Strategically, the development has far-reaching implications. The ability to mount precision-guided rockets on light civilian-style vehicles allows states and non-state actors alike to project firepower in unconventional ways, complicating adversary countermeasures. For Türkiye, it reinforces the defense industry’s role as a supplier of adaptable, exportable systems that bridge conventional and irregular warfare needs. It also positions Roketsan as a competitor in markets where armies seek affordable precision strike options without investing in heavy artillery fleets. Given that the TRLG-122 design also underpins the UAV-122 aeroballistic missile tested from Baykar’s Akinci and TB3 UCAVs, the system now represents a multi-domain asset spanning land and air warfare, with potential maritime applications evident from the recent sea-target strike.

Budgetary considerations play a significant role in the TRLG-122’s appeal. Unlike large-scale MLRS programs requiring costly vehicles and logistics, the pickup-mounted solution provides a low-cost, high-impact option for countries with limited artillery budgets. While Roketsan has not disclosed the financial details of this adaptation, the company has already secured contracts for guided 122 mm systems with several export customers in Asia and the Middle East. The pickup-based configuration may further expand its client base, particularly among nations seeking modular, easily integrated fire-support tools for mobile warfare. The latest test suggests that Roketsan is preparing to market this system not only as a complement to existing MLRS batteries but also as a standalone option for rapid deployment forces.

The successful demonstration of the TRLG-122 from a pickup platform underscores how Roketsan is reshaping the role of artillery rockets in modern combat. By combining precision with mobility, the system bridges the gap between traditional multiple rocket launchers and improvised technicals, providing a scalable solution for both state and irregular forces. This innovation signals a shift in how lightweight platforms may redefine battlefield dynamics, offering a credible alternative where speed, concealment, and cost-effectiveness matter as much as raw firepower.