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Türkiye tests Tayfun ballistic missile, potentially extending its range

By Cem Devrim Yaylali |

Roketsan test-fired the Tayfun ballistic missile on 3 February (screen-grab from Roketsan video). (Roketsan)

Roketsan conducted a test firing of the Tayfun ballistic missile on 3 February. The missile was launched from Rize-Artvin Airport on the Black Sea coast, heading west. While the exact range of the test firing was not disclosed, the Turkish Navy issued a maritime warning for it on 2 February. The designated area, outlined by multiple co-ordinates, was declared dangerous for navigation for a week's period.

Analysis of the restricted zone indicates that the distance between the firing location and the furthest point within the area was approximately 750 km, suggesting that the missile's range in the test exceeded the 560 km range of the previous test.

The Tayfun missile is 6.5 m long, with a 61 cm diameter, and 2,300 kg weight. The weight of its pre-shaped fragmentation warhead has not been disclosed. According to Roketsan, the missile has a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 10 m. It features a go-onto-location-in-space (GOLIS) guidance system, making it suitable for strikes on stationary targets such as command centres, air defence missile systems, and critical military infrastructure. The transporter-erector-launcher (TEL) vehicle carries two missiles.

Roketsan released a video on social media on 3 February showing the missile launch and its impact on the target. The footage reveals window-like openings near the missile's nose cone, leading to speculation that the missile may incorporate celestial navigation for improved accuracy.

Roketsan declined to comment on the test when approached by Janes.

For more information, please seeErdogan doubles range of Türkiye's ballistic missile programme.

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