Greece Sounds Alarm: Türkiye Accused of Reverse Engineering METEOR Missile to Build Its Own GÖKHAN
According to reports in Greek newspaper Kathimerini, Türkiye’s defense industry intends to conduct reverse engineering on the METEOR missile—analyzing its structural and operational elements—to develop the locally produced GÖKHAN.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) –In a move that has sparked fresh tensions, Greek defense sources allege that Türkiye is poised to exploit its impending acquisition of the long-range METEOR air-to-air missile as a blueprint to secretly engineer its own indigenous GÖKHAN missile, potentially reshaping the region’s aerial combat dynamics.
According to reports in Greek newspaper Kathimerini, Türkiye’s defense industry intends to conduct reverse engineering on the METEOR missile—analyzing its structural and operational elements—to develop the locally produced GÖKHAN.
Currently undergoing various testing phases, the GÖKHAN missile has been dubbed Türkiye’s “METEOR equivalent.”
It is specifically designed for integration with Türkiye’s fifth-generation KAAN stealth fighter jet, providing the platform with advanced air superiority capabilities.
Greece has alleged that the design of GÖKHAN bears striking similarities to the METEOR missile.
However, Türkiye’s indigenous long-range air-to-air missile features smaller fins, indicating that it has been designed for internal weapons bays, a standard configuration for fifth-generation fighter jets.
Türkiye is expected to conduct live tests of the ramjet-powered GÖKHAN air-to-air missile in the coming months, marking a significant milestone in its defense technology advancements.
With a kinetic range exceeding 200 km and a “no escape” zone of 100 km, as stated by the Turkish Defense Research Agency (TÜBİTAK-SAGE), GÖKHAN has been in development since 2021 as an active radar-guided missile system.
It is engineered to provide a tactical advantage to the KAAN fighter, positioning Türkiye among the world’s top air combat forces.
The ramjet propulsion system on GÖKHAN offers a superior effective range compared to solid-fuel rocket engines, as it can adjust thrust mid-flight, a capability absent in conventional rocket-powered missiles.
The GÖKHAN missile will be deployed on Türkiye’s modernized F-16 fighters under the ÖZGÜR program, equipped with the MURAD 100-A AESA radar, as well as on the next-generation KAAN fighter jet.
Greece has reportedly expressed strong discontent with France over its alleged approval for Türkiye to acquire METEOR long-range air-to-air missiles for integration with the Eurofighter Typhoon fighters that Ankara plans to procure.
KF-21 “Boramae” launching the “Meteor” BVRAAM.
Recently, Greek Defense Minister Nikos Dendias summoned French Ambassador to Greece, Laurence Auer, to formally protest the proposed deal, demanding clarification on reports regarding the potential sale of METEOR Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles to Türkiye.
“I have conveyed to the French Ambassador Greece’s strong opposition to this possibility (the METEOR missile sale to Türkiye), as it contradicts the close strategic relationship between Greece and France that has existed until now,” Dendias stated on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
This diplomatic rift between Greece and France emerges despite the strong defense cooperation between the two nations.
Under the bilateral defense agreement signed in September 2021, Greece and France pledged mutual military assistance in the event of an attack by a third country.
The Franco-Greek defense pact has led to significant Greek arms acquisitions, including 24 Rafale fighter jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation and French-built warships.
Greece’s primary concern is that Türkiye’s acquisition of METEOR missiles for the Eurofighter Typhoon could undermine Greece’s current aerial superiority over Ankara, which was achieved through the procurement of Rafale fighters from France.
METEOR BVR AAMEurofighter Typhoon fighter jet with “METEOR” long range air-to-air missile
The proposed sale of 40 latest-generation Eurofighter Typhoon jets—armed with METEOR air-to-air missiles—to Türkiye has sparked intense tensions between Britain, France, and Greece.
Reports suggest that Türkiye conditioned its Eurofighter Typhoon purchase on securing approval to acquire METEOR missiles, a request that now appears to have been granted.
Türkiye is set to procure the most advanced variant of the Eurofighter Typhoon—Tranche 4.
Equipped with the CAPTOR-E AESA radar, the Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 4 is regarded as Europe’s most sophisticated fighter jet, expected to remain operational until at least 2060.
The METEOR Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) is widely considered the best air-to-air missile in the world, surpassing the capabilities of the U.S.-made AIM-120 AMRAAM.
Developed by MBDA, the radar-guided METEOR missile can reportedly reach speeds of Mach 4 and engage aerial targets at a range of 200 km.
As Türkiye moves closer to integrating METEOR-class technology into its indigenous GÖKHAN missile, the geopolitical arms race in the Eastern Mediterranean is set to escalate even further.
What is wrong with Europe ?
Have you people learned nothing, that you are selling advanced Defence Tech to a Muslim country ?