Rising NATO Ally Unveils Hypersonic Missile
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Turkey has unveiled its first locally developed hypersonic missile as part of six advanced weapons systems during a major fair run by the defense ministry. The missile is being developed by state-owned rockets and missiles company Roketsan.
Newsweek has reached out to the Turkish Foreign Ministry and Roketsan for comment.
Why It Matters
Turkey is accelerating efforts to modernize its military as regional conflicts intensify, combining a push for self-reliance in weapons manufacturing with continued cooperation through its NATO allies.
With tensions flaring with Israel, Turkey is expanding naval and air defense capabilities — including a fifth-generation fighter jet and aircraft carrier — and is eyeing a return to the U.S. F-35 fighter jet program. It is also becoming an increasingly important global arms supplier.
Short and long range anti-tank missiles, manufactured by Turkish company Roketsan, are displayed during the International Defence and Security Fair (FEINDEF) in Madrid, May 12, 2025.
Short and long range anti-tank missiles, manufactured by Turkish company Roketsan, are displayed during the International Defence and Security Fair (FEINDEF) in Madrid, May 12, 2025.
THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images
What To Know
The Tayfun Block-4 is the hypersonic variant of Türkiye's longest-range domestically produced ballistic missile, the Tayfun, according to the Daily Sabah, and was revealed during the International Defense Industry Fair taking place this week in Istanbul.
On the first day of #IDEF2025, we unveiled six new systems that will further strengthen the power of our defense industry.
Each system, developed through national engineering and indigenous capabilities, reflects the level we have reached in generating advanced technologies and… pic.twitter.com/bPEI5QBQFK — ROKETSAN (@roketsan) July 22, 2025
The Tayfun is a land-based ballistic missile, operating at hypersonic cruise speed. It has a range of over 175 miles, a length of 21 feet and a pre-shaped fragmentation warhead. It is guided by an in-space navigation system and is designed to strike strategic targets such as air defense systems, command centers, and military infrastructure, according to the company.
In addition to the Tayfun hypersonic missile, Roketsan also unveiled five other advanced systems including a ramjet-powered air-to-air missile, a submarine-launched cruise missile, a loitering munition, a supersonic UAV-launched missile, and a satellite launch vehicle.
In 2022, Roketsan also successfully tested the first domestically developed air-to-ground supersonic missileTRG-230, Turkish media reported.
Turkey accelerated its indigenous defense-industrial agenda Russian S‑400 air defense system in 2019 and subsequent expulsion from the
Turkey accelerated building its indigenous defense capabilities after it was expelled from America's F‑35 program for acquiring the Russian S‑400 air defense system in 2019.
What People Are Saying
Roketsan said in a statement, according to the Daily Sabah: "The Tayfun Block-4 achieves long ranges, setting another record for the Turkish defense industry. Weighing over 7 tons, this new version of the Tayfun, with its multipurpose warhead, will be capable of destroying numerous strategic targets, such as air defense systems, command and control centers, military hangars and critical military facilities, from kilometers away."
Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Byakar Tech, a Turkish defense company, wrote on X: "I wholeheartedly congratulate all the engineers and technicians who have brought these capabilities to our country. Now, our goal is to elevate our deterrent power to the highest level with high-volume production. We look to the future of our homeland's defense with even greater hope."
What Happens Next
The Tayfun Block-4 will enter Turkish service by late 2025 and is currently not intended for export, Roketsan CEO Murat İkinci said, according to Army Recognition Grup's platform.
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