Turkey successfully conducted a test launch of its domestically developed Tayfun short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) on February 3, achieving a range of 561 kilometers (350 miles), according to Defense Industry Agency (SSB) President Haluk Görgün.
This marks Turkey’s third test of the Tayfun missile, Görgün confirmed in a post on X, emphasizing its significance in strengthening the country’s precision-strike capabilities.
Extensive security measures were taken around Rize-Artvin Airport before the latest test launch of Tayfun, Turkey’s longest-range missile to date. The test launch of the Tayfun Short-Range Ballistic Missile System was conducted from the region at 12:37 PM and was successfully completed without any issues. Previously, Tayfun test launches were also carried out by ROKETSAN from Rize-Artvin Airport on October 18, 2022, and May 23, 2023. To ensure safety, air and sea traffic within a 700-kilometer radius was temporarily halted during the test.
A Milestone in Turkey’s Missile Program
Developed by Turkish defense contractor Roketsan, the Tayfun missile was launched from a mobile platform at Rize-Artvin Airport on the Black Sea coast. It successfully struck a maritime target off the coast of Sinop, more than doubling the range of Turkey’s existing tactical missile systems.
The Tayfun missile system is designed for deep-strike capability and high reliability. Its hypersonic cruise speed enables it to evade air defense systems, while its high-precision strike capability minimizes unintended collateral damage. The system offers logistical advantages and operational flexibility through its quick deployment time and rapid-fire position relocation capabilities. It also features enhanced electronic warfare resistance against global positioning system jamming and can operate in all weather conditions, day or night, due to its low environmental sensitivity
Görgün described the launch as a milestone in Turkey’s defense technology, stating that the test not only validated the missile’s performance parameters but also made a significant contribution to its ongoing development.
During Turkey’s first cabinet meeting of 2024 on January 6, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced plans to accelerate the development of a new ballistic missile with a 2,000-kilometer range.
