Click to see full-size image. (Anadolu Agency)
Turkey’s National Defense Ministry Research and Development Center unveiled on May 5 the country’s first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).
The missile, dubbed “Yildirimhan” — Turkish for lighting — was showcased on the sideline of the SAHA 2026 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition in the city of Istanbul.
The national research and development center said that Yildirimhan is capable of reaching Mach 25 speed and has a reported range of 6,000 kilometers. The missile uses liquid nitrogen tetroxide as fuel and is powered by four rocket propulsion engines.
Yasar Guler, the Turkish national defense minister, said that the ICBM would benefit the country and the Turkish military, adding that the Turkish defense industry has boosted its production capacity through major investments and transformed into an ecosystem developing high technology through research and development.
“This point we have reached is a source of pride, but developing technology and diversifying needs require us to constantly renew ourselves,” Guler said, according to the Anadulu Agency.
The minister also noted that research and development play a decisive role in strengthening the defense industry in a sustainable way.
“In this context, our ministry continues its efforts with great determination to meet the needs of our Turkish Armed Forces,” he added.
From Turkish territories, Yildirimhan range covers all of the Middle East and North Africa, in addition Europe, South Asia, and vast parts of both Russia and China.
The missile is likely still in the early development phase, as Turkey has not announced any successful live tests yet. It’s worth noting that such tests can’t be hidden as the launch of powerful missiles is usually easily detected from most of the world.
ICBMs are primarily designed for nuclear weapons delivery — delivering one or more thermonuclear warheads. Conventional, chemical, and biological weapons can also be delivered with varying effectiveness but have never been deployed on such missiles.
Some modern designs support multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), allowing a single missile to carry several warheads, each of which can strike a different target.
Turkey has been expanding its missile program for years now, and has previously showcased short and medium-range ballistic missiles capable of covering the entire Middle East. Yildirimhan will likely cause some concerns especially in Israel and Europe.
The missile highlights Turkey’s global ambitions, and may be even a sign that the country could attempt in the near future to develop nuclear weapons.
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