Turkiye’s TAYFUN SRBM Strikes Sea Target with Deadly Precision in Third Test
“TAYFUN successfully met the range and precision criteria set for it during the latest test launch. This test confirmed the system’s performance parameters and made significant contributions to its development process,” said President of Turkiye's Defense Industry Agency (SSB), Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – In a display of formidable military prowess, Turkiye’s defense industry has reached a new pinnacle as the TAYFUN short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) roared through the skies, striking its sea surface target with surgical precision during its third test launch.
The TAYFUN SRBM is developed by Turkish defense firm ROKETSAN.
“TAYFUN successfully met the range and precision criteria set for it during the latest test launch. This test confirmed the system’s performance parameters and made significant contributions to its development process,” said President of Turkiye’s Defense Industry Agency (SSB), Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün.
According to Turkish defense portal SavunmaSanayiST.com, the third test launch of the TAYFUN SRBM was conducted from Rize-Artvin Airport.
During the test, which demonstrated the missile’s capability to strike targets over 500 km away, both air and maritime traffic were temporarily disrupted across an area spanning 700 km.
TAYFUN successfully fulfilled its mission, accurately hitting the designated sea target.
“Considering that ballistic missiles typically detonate within 50-100 meters of their target, TAYFUN’s centimeter-level accuracy has become a source of pride for Turkiye’s defense industry,” the statement added.
Additionally, there are indications of different configurations being developed for the TAYFUN SRBM.
While mass production of TAYFUN is underway for the Turkish Land Forces, there is speculation that a variant designed for striking naval targets could be developed in the future, raising questions about the potential creation of an anti-ship ballistic missile variant.
The missile measures approximately 6.5 meters in length, has a diameter of 610 mm, and weighs around 2,300 kilograms.
Utilizing a ‘coordinate guidance system’ developed by ROKETSAN, the SRBM is equipped with a pre-shaped fragmentation warhead.
Designed to destroy strategic facilities and targets, TAYFUN is also built to withstand electronic warfare threats.
‘Bullseye”
With a cruising speed reaching hypersonic levels, TAYFUN is exceptionally difficult to detect and intercept by enemy air defense and missile interceptor systems.
In October 2022, ROKETSAN and Turkish defense authorities conducted the first test launch of the TAYFUN SRBM, successfully hitting a target 560 km away.
This test established TAYFUN as the longest-range ballistic missile currently in Turkiye’s arsenal.
ROKETSAN plans to extend TAYFUN’s range from the current 560 km to approximately 1,000 km.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan previously stated that the development of the TAYFUN SRBM serves as a message to certain unnamed countries.
“Our unmanned aerial systems have become legendary, and now we have the TAYFUN missile. All of these are messages directed at specific locations, and we view this development with great pride,” he remarked.
