Inside Turkey’s Ballistic Missile Program

Turkey's defense industry is undergoing a quiet yet significant transformation with massive investments in the development of indigenous ballistic missiles. At the forefront of this initiative is Roketsan, serving as the primary contractor and lead integrator in an ambitious effort to position Turkey as a key player in military technology.

According to an article by Tal Inbar, an expert in strategic research on air, missile, and space systems, and Yair Ramati, chairman of RSL and former head of Israel’s HOMA missile defense program, one of the most notable advancements in this field is the "Typhoon" missile. Often referred to as "Bora 2," the missile features a unitary warhead configuration and four stabilizers at the rear. It utilizes GPS/GLONASS guidance combined with an inertial navigation system (INS). 

With a diameter of 610 mm, a length of 6.5 meters, and a launch weight of approximately 2.3 tons, the missile boasts a range of up to 800 km with an accuracy of 10 meters. Successful flight tests in October 2022, May 2023, and February 2025 demonstrate the technological maturity of the program.

However, the "Typhoon" is just one part of Turkey’s broader ballistic missile roadmap, which includes a range of projects aimed at gradually enhancing range and precision. Among these is the J-600T Yildirim, a domestic version of the Chinese B-611 missile, weighing 2,100 kg, measuring 6.1 meters in length, and having a range of 150-250 km with a 480 kg warhead. 

The "Bora," an export-oriented missile, has a reduced warhead and a range of 280 km. Additionally, the CENK represents a technological breakthrough with a maneuverable, single-stage MaRV (maneuverable reentry vehicle) warhead and four stabilizers for improved agility. Turkey’s defense industry aims to further enhance its missile capabilities, with future plans for a 2,000-km-range missile featuring a larger diameter, two stages, and a reentry vehicle (RV).

Turkey’s significant investment in ballistic missiles is not merely a technological endeavor. Ankara views it as a crucial step in bolstering its domestic defense industry, deterring potential threats, and strengthening its regional power projection. Having acquired early versions of ATACMS missiles in 1996, Turkey is now establishing itself as a regional power with independent missile development capabilities.

One immediate strategic implication of Turkey’s missile program is its ability to cover the entire Greek region. Experts suggest that this could impact the balance of power in the Mediterranean and escalate tensions between the two nations.

Sources indicate that Turkey’s progress in ballistic missile technology has yet to reach its peak. Advanced maneuverable missiles will likely make interception more challenging, increasing their battlefield effectiveness.

Turkey’s expanding ballistic missile program presents a strategic challenge for Israel and other regional actors, necessitating close monitoring and reassessment of security threats.