Developed by Turkish defence contractor Roketsan, the Tayfun missile was launched from a mobile platform at Rize-Artvin Airport on the Black Sea coast. It hit a maritime target off the port city of Sinop, demonstrating more than double the range of Türkiye’s existing tactical missile systems.
During the test, air and sea traffic within a 700-kilometre radius was temporarily halted to ensure safety. Görgün stated that the test successfully validated Tayfun’s performance parameters, calling it a major milestone in Türkiye’s advancing precision-strike capabilities.
According to Roketsan, the Tayfun missile is designed for deep-strike operations, featuring hypersonic speed to evade air defence systems. It is equipped with a high-precision guidance system, reducing collateral damage and enhancing its effectiveness in complex combat scenarios.
Vatanımızın güçlü, hızlı ve hırçın #TAYFUN’u!🌪️🚀
Yerli ve milli füzemiz TAYFUN, uzun menzilli test atışında hedefini tam isabetle vurdu.🎯@SavunmaSanayii #YarınİçinYüksel#Roketsan pic.twitter.com/Zg75zVYT9c
— ROKETSAN (@roketsan) February 3, 2025
The missile’s design also provides logistical and operational advantages, including rapid deployment, quick relocation, and resistance to electronic warfare techniques such as GPS jamming. Its advanced navigation technology ensures accuracy in all weather conditions, both day and night.
Türkiye’s pursuit of indigenous missile technology dates back to the 1990s, initially through defence cooperation with China due to limited access to Western technology. The Tayfun program builds upon earlier projects, including the Yıldırım (150-kilometre range) and Bora (300-kilometre range) missiles, developed through technology transfers with China.
Unlike previous missile systems, Tayfun surpasses the 300-kilometre range limit set by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), an international agreement aimed at preventing the spread of long-range missile technologies. While Türkiye remains an MTCR member, it is permitted to develop such systems for national defence, provided they are not exported without authorization.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has indicated that the country aims to accelerate the development of a 2,000-kilometre-range ballistic missile.
