(VIDEO) Turkiye Unveils Development of 2,000 KM-Range Ballistic Missile

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – In a groundbreaking revelation, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the Mediterranean nation is developing a ballistic missile capable of striking targets up to 2,000 km away.

According to Erdogan, the development of the ballistic missile with a 2,000 km range is being expedited.

“We have decided to strengthen our missile stockpile with ranges exceeding 800 km and accelerate the development program for missiles with ranges exceeding 2,000 km,” he stated following a cabinet meeting.

Erdogan highlighted that over the past year, Turkiye has implemented various defense programs, with more initiatives planned for the current year.

The medium-range ballistic missile with a 2,000 km strike capability is believed to be part of the development programs for the CENK or GEZGIN missiles, which have not yet been publicly disclosed.

Reports suggest that the CENK and GEZGIN missiles are larger than Turkiye’s short-range BORA and TAYFUN missiles.

The CENK missile is expected to be transported on a trailer for launch, while the GEZGIN missile is designed for launch from land-based vehicles, submarines, and warships.

The CENK and GEZGIN missile programs are part of Turkiye’s defense initiative to expand its long-range strike capabilities.

While specific details regarding the CENK missile remain limited, Erdogan confirmed that Turkiye is actively developing missiles named CENK and GEZGIN, promising “good news” about their progress in the near future.

GEZGIN is reportedly a cruise missile comparable to the U.S.-made Tomahawk and Russia’s Kalibr cruise missiles.

It is believed to have the capability to strike land targets over 1,000 km, providing Turkiye with deep-strike capabilities against enemy assets and infrastructure.

The development of these missiles underscores Turkiye’s ongoing efforts to bolster its defense and long-range strike capabilities, aligning with the nation’s objective of self-reliance in the defense industry.

In October last year, Turkish defense company ROKETSAN announced plans to develop a hypersonic missile based on the short-range ballistic missile Tayfun.

Reports indicate that Turkiye’s hypersonic missile is expected to achieve speeds of Mach 5.5, positioning the Mediterranean country among a select group of nations possessing the technology and expertise to develop hypersonic missiles.

In May 2023, Turkiye conducted a test launch of the Tayfun missile in the Black Sea coastal city of Rize, marking a significant milestone in its development.

During an earlier test in October 2022, Tayfun successfully hit a target at a range of 560 km, making it the longest-range ballistic missile in Turkiye’s arsenal at the time.

ROKETSAN plans to extend Tayfun’s range to approximately 1,000 km, further enhancing Turkiye’s long-range strike capability.

Erdogan emphasized that the development of Tayfun serves as a message to certain nations, highlighting Turkiye’s advancing defense capabilities.

The Tayfun missile program reflects Turkiye’s continuous efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities and assert itself as a regional power with formidable military capabilities. – DSA