13 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 7
Shown in Istanbul, the domestically developed missile has a reported 6,000km range, 3,000kg payload and speeds from Mach 9 to Mach 25.
Developed by the National Defense Ministry R&D Center, it reflects Ankara's drive for defense autonomy after recent wars reshaped security thinking, Defence Minister Yasar Guler said.
Turkey aims to meet nearly all military needs domestically by 2030, while advancing Tayfun, KAAN, Altay and the $6.5bn Steel Dome air-defence programme.
Is Turkey's new missile a defensive shield or a quiet step towards becoming the next nuclear power?
How will a Turkish ICBM reshape NATO's security strategy and the power balance in the Middle East?
Turkey's First Indigenous ICBM: The 6,000 km Range Yildirimhan and Its Global Impact
Overview
On May 6, 2026, Turkey unveiled the Yildirimhan, its first domestically developed intercontinental ballistic missile, boasting a 6,000 km range and hypersonic speeds up to Mach 25. This breakthrough marks a major step toward Turkey's strategic autonomy and enhances its conventional deterrence by extending its reach across Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. However, the missile's liquid-fuel system requires lengthy launch preparation, creating vulnerabilities, while its speed challenges current missile defenses. The unveiling has stirred unease within NATO and prompted regional rivals to boost missile defenses, reshaping security dynamics and raising complex questions about Turkey's role in alliance cohesion and future arms control.