(VIDEO) Turkey Develops Hypersonic Missile Capable of Mach 5.5 in Speed

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – One of Turkey’s largest defense firms, ROKETSAN, recently announced its efforts to develop a hypersonic missile based on the short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) “Tayfun”.

The announcement was shared via the “TurkishFacts4u” account on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), showcasing Turkey’s growing capability in missile development.

According to reports, Turkey’s hypersonic missile is expected to achieve speeds of up to Mach 5.5, positioning the Mediterranean nation among a select group of countries with the expertise to develop hypersonic missile technology.

A missile is classified as hypersonic if it can reach speeds exceeding Mach 5.

Due to their extreme speed, surpassing Mach 5, hypersonic missiles are exceptionally difficult for air defense systems to intercept.

Turkey’s decision to base the hypersonic missile on the “Tayfun” SRBM reflects its ambition to further strengthen its strategic weapon capabilities and bolster its position as a regional power.

Globally, countries such as the United States, China, and Russia are actively racing to develop hypersonic missiles, which are currently considered a major trend in the defense industry.

ROKETSAN has previously conducted multiple test launches of the “Tayfun” SRBM.

Established in 1988, the defense firm specializes in developing various types of rockets and missiles for both domestic and international markets.

In October 2022, ROKETSAN and Turkish defense authorities carried out the first-ever test launch of the “Tayfun” SRBM, successfully hitting a target 560 kilometers away.

This marked “Tayfun” as the longest-range ballistic missile in Turkey’s current arsenal.

ROKETSAN aims to extend the missile’s range from the current 560 kilometers to approximately 1,000 kilometers.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan previously described the development of the “Tayfun” missile as a strategic message to unnamed nations.

“Our unmanned aerial systems have become legendary, and now we have the “Tayfun” missile. All of these are messages to specific destinations, and we take pride in witnessing them,” Erdoğan remarked. — DSA