(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Turkey has conducted several tests of the short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) “Tayfun” (Typhoon), developed by its defense company, ROKETSAN, which undoubtedly will further strengthened its efforts to become a regional military power.
The successful test launches of the “Tayfun SRBM” also indicate that the serial production and large-scale deployment of the short-range ballistic guided missile is imminent.
Last May, the short-range ballistic guided missile “Tayfun SRBM” underwent a test launch on the coast of the Black Sea town of Rize.
However, Turkish authorities did not provide detailed information about the test.
In October of the previous year, ROKETSAN and Turkish defense authorities conducted the inaugural test launch of the short-range ballistic guided missile “Tayfun SRBM,” hitting a target at a distance of 560km.
This test launch positioned “Tayfun” as Turkey’s longest-range ballistic guided missile to date.
ROKETSAN plans to extend the range of the “Tayfun SRBM” from the current 560km to approximately 1,000km.
This would classify the “Tayfun SRBM” as a short-range ballistic guided missile owned by Turkey that does not comply with the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).
The MTCR requires signatory countries not to possess guided missiles or drones with a range exceeding 300km and carrying a payload exceeding 500kg.
In 2017, Turkey revealed the guided missile “Bora-1” with a range of 273km, which is currently operational in the country’s military forces.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan previously stated that the development of the short-range ballistic guided missile “Tayfun” sends a message to unspecified countries.
He mentioned that Turkey’s unmanned aircraft system has become legendary, and now they possess the “Tayfun SRBM”, which sends message to specific country in the region.
In another event, President Erdogan remarked, “When we start building missiles, it certainly scares Greece. When you mention ‘Tayfun,’ Greece is very frightened. Greece states that it (Tayfun) will hit Athens, of course, it will hit.”
Turkey is understood to have secretly worked for several years on developing the short-range ballistic guided missile and other guided missile systems.
As usual, Greek media and military analysts greeted the news of Turkey’s ballistic missile test-launch with great concern.
Speaking to a Greek television station, former senior military officer General Frangoulis Fragos was quoted as claiming hat Turkey is developing a ballistic guided missile capable of hitting targets up to 2,500km away.
He stated that the “Tayfun SRBM” will make Turkey a power in this region and allow it to play a larger role.”
Erdogan also mentioned that the country is developing two other types of missiles known as “Cenk” and “Gezgin” and promised the people of Turkey that there will be “good news” about the development of both missiles soon. — DSA
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