Turkey Unveils First Domestically Developed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

Turkey unveiled its first domestically developed intercontinental ballistic missile, named the Yildirimhan, at the SAHA Expo 2026 defense and aerospace exhibition in Istanbul on Tuesday. The missile has a range of up to 6,000 km and a payload capacity of up to 3,000 kg.

It uses liquid nitrogen tetroxide and four engines to reach speeds between Mach 9 and Mach 25, according to information released at the event. The Yildirimhan was developed by Turkey’s National Defense Ministry R&D Center. Defense officials displayed the missile as part of efforts to expand the local defense industry and achieve near-complete self-sufficiency in military needs by 2030.

Turkey has made defense autonomy a national priority.

Officials are investing in missiles, unmanned platforms and air defense systems while seeking to establish the country as a reliable defense supplier to allies. A defense minister stated that recent conflicts, including the war between Russia and Ukraine and the recent war against Iran by the United States and Israel, had provided critical data for security doctrine and increased responsibilities.

The minister added that in an era where economic cost functions as an asymmetric weapon, Turkey offers allies both weapon systems and technology along with a sustainable security economy. In the missile domain, Turkey is advancing long-range and hypersonic systems.

The Tayfun Block-4 ballistic missile, capable of speeds above Mach 5 with an 800 km range, completed successful testing last week with mass production planned by the end of 2026.

Turkey’s flagship projects include the KAAN fifth-generation fighter jet, currently in the prototype stage, and the Altay main battle tank, which began deliveries in 2025. These efforts follow the country’s removal from the F-35 program. At sea, the Turkish Navy is pursuing modernization that includes new submarines and air-defense destroyers.

The country has also launched the $6.5 billion Steel Dome program, a multi-layered air defense network intended to counter aircraft, drones and ballistic threats. The president stated that the Steel Dome system will instill confidence in friends and fear in enemies.