Turkey on Tuesday introduced its first hypersonic ballistic missile, the Tayfun Block-4, along with five other weapons systems developed by state-owned defense company Roketsan, during the opening day of the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) in İstanbul, the Anadolu news agency reported.
Hypersonic technology, defined as missiles capable of traveling faster than five times the speed of sound (Mach 5), allows the Tayfun Block-4 to evade current air defense systems. Although there is no official range announced, the missile can travel more than 800 kilometers according to unofficial estimates and carries a multi-purpose warhead.
With this unveiling, Turkey joins a select group of nations, including the United States, Russia and China, actively participating in global hypersonic weapons development.
Analysts suggest that Turkey’s entry into the hypersonic weapons arena may influence regional stability, particularly in light of Ankara’s ongoing disputes with Greece over maritime jurisdiction areas in the eastern Mediterranean and broader NATO dynamics.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan lauded Turkey’s growing independence in defense capabilities, citing the country’s determination to overcome international embargoes and pressure. “Today, we are not only witnessing the development of the Turkish defense industry but also the march of a nation toward independence,” Erdoğan said.
In addition to the Tayfun Block-4, Roketsan introduced several other systems. These include Gökbora, an air-to-air missile with a range exceeding 160 kilometers, designed for advanced Turkish aircraft like the KAAN fighter jet and the KIZILELMA unmanned combat air vehicle; Eren, a 35-kilogram drone-launched weapon equipped with artificial intelligence, capable of engaging both air and ground targets at over 100 kilometers; and IHA-300, an air-launched missile for high-altitude drones and fighter jets, with a range beyond 500 kilometers.
Also presented were Akata, a submarine-launched cruise missile capable of striking both maritime and land targets, and Şimşek-2, a two-stage space launch vehicle designed to deliver payloads of up to 1.5 tons into low Earth orbit.
These developments come amid tensions with neighboring Greece over resource rights and maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean, which observers believe could shift the region’s security dynamics. Russian media labeled the Tayfun Block-4 a “big step,” while international defense forums noted its potential appeal to future partners.
The fair also saw a significant agreement between Turkey and the United Kingdom on acquiring Eurofighter Typhoon jets, signaling deepening ties between Ankara and London.
Over 1,300 exhibitors from 44 countries, including major global defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Airbus, are participating in IDEF 2025. Diplomatic meetings at the fair included Turkey’s defense officials having talks with counterparts from Belgium, Syria and Libya.
IDEF 2025 continues through July 27, showcasing a wide range of military and strategic technologies and underlining Turkey’s ambition to become a key player in the global defense industry.