Latest news with #TayfunBlock4
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Turkey's New Super-Sized Ballistic Missile Reflects Global Trends
Turkish defense contractor Roketsan has rolled out a substantially larger version of its Tayfun short-range ballistic missile. In addition to the new capabilities it could offer Turkey, the Tayfun Block 4 is another indication of a broader resurgence of interest in larger and longer-ranged ballistic missiles, especially within the U.S. military. Roketsan unveiled the Tayfun Block 4 at the 2025 International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) in Istanbul last week. The Tayfun family first broke cover in 2022, and the weapon reportedly evolved from Rokestan's preceding Bora short-range ballistic missile. Tayfun and Bora mean typhoon and storm in Turkish, respectively. Köklerinden doğan güç: #TAYFUNBlok4 Power born from roots: #TAYFUNBlock4 — ROKETSAN (@roketsan) July 25, 2025 Tayfun Block 4 is close to 33 feet (10 meters) long, just over 3 feet (close to one meter) wide, and has a total weight of nearly eight tons (7,200 kilograms), according to Janes. Existing specifications for Tayfun (no block specified) on Roketsan's website describe a missile that has an overall length of just over 21 feet (6.5 meters), a diameter of around two feet (just over 0.6 meters), and a gross weight of some two and a half tons (2,300 kilograms). 'The Tayfun Block-4 achieves long ranges, setting another record for the Turkish defense industry,' Rokestan said in a statement, according to Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency news outlet. It 'will be capable of destroying numerous strategic targets, such as air defense systems, command and control centers, military hangars, and critical military facilities…' Roketsan has not disclosed an official maximum range for Tayfun Block 4, but its substantially larger size has prompted speculation that it may be in the medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) category. MRBMs are categorized as ballistic missiles with maximum ranges between 620 and 1,860 miles (1,000 and 3,000 kilometers), while short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) can reach out to between 190 and 620 miles (300 and 1,000 kilometers). The stated range of Tayfun provided on Roketsan's website is greater than 174 miles (280 kilometers). Previous versions of Tayfun have reportedly demonstrated the ability to hit targets nearly 350 miles (561 kilometers) away. It is worth noting that Tayfun Block 4 has been touted as a 'hypersonic' missile, but there is nothing yet to indicate it has any characteristics associated with highly maneuverable hypersonic weapons, as you can read more about here. Ballistic missiles, especially larger, longer-ranged types, typically reach hypersonic speeds, defined as anything above Mach 5, in the latter stages of flight. Other details about the Block 4 version of Tayfun, as well as the differences between the preceding Blocks, are limited. All versions, including the new Block 4, are understood to carry large unitary blast fragmentation warheads and use go-onto-location-in-space (GOLIS) guidance, at least in their default configurations. GOLIS weapons can operate on a number of different principles, including simply flying along a preset trajectory or leveraging inertial guidance, but are all limited to engaging fixed or near-fixed targets based on data loaded into the missile before launch. Roketsan's website says the GOLIS guidance system used in the Tayfun family gives the missiles a circular error probable (CEP) of less than 33 feet (10 meters), meaning that the weapons can reliably hit within that distance of a specified aim point. Whether or not Tayfun Block 4 is confirmed to be an MRBM remains to be seen. Roketsan is also known to be developing an MRBM called Cenk (meaning war in Turkish). Cenk was publicly disclosed two months after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced plans to acquire ballistic missiles with maximum ranges of at least 620 miles (1,000 kilometers). It remains unclear whether Erdogan may also have been referring to an extended-range version of Tayfun at that time. Türkiye'nin en gelişmiş balistik füzesi Roketsan #CENK! — (@SavunmaSanayiST) May 12, 2023 Just last week, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacir reportedly declared that Turkey was pursuing missiles with maximum ranges of around 1,242 miles (2,000 kilometers), but did not specify whether he was referring to ballistic or cruise missiles, or name any particular programs. Reports also emerged last year that Turkey is looking to begin testing ballistic missiles in Somalia, specifically because of the greater space available in the East African country to conduct longer-range launches. A variant of Tayfun with MRBM range, or close to it, could offer a hedge against any issues in the development of Cenk. At the same time, a purpose-built MRBM rather than one derived from SRBM would offer the potential for increased overall performance and greater survivability, including through a greater total payload capacity that could include the addition of new decoys and other countermeasures against anti-missile interceptors, as well as improved warhead options. A missile designed from the ground up as an MRBM would be easier to further scale up, as well. For Turkey, the development and fielding of longer-range ballistic missiles, broadly, is being driven in part by a desire to deter long-time regional competitor Greece. 'Now we have started to build our missiles. Of course, this production frightens the Greeks. When you say 'Tayfun' (Typhoon), the Greek is scared. They (Greece) say it will hit Athens. Of course, it will hit it,' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in December 2022. It would also extend Turkey's reach against other regional opponents. Turkish forces have reportedly fired Bora short-range ballistic missiles at Kurdish militants in Iraq in the past. Tayfun Block 4 could also be geared in part to potential export sales. Turkish defense contractors, with the support of the government in Ankara, have been steadily pushing to expand their global market share, in general, in recent years. However, Turkey is a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) arms control bloc, an arrangement that puts severe restrictions on the export of missiles that can carry payloads of more than 1,100 pounds to distances of more than 190 miles. Bora falls within the MTCR parameters, and Roketsan offers an export-specific version called Khan, which Indonesia signed a contract to purchase in 2022. All of this underscores the aforementioned new surge of interest globally in ballistic missiles in recent years, especially in the West. The U.S. Army may also be pursuing a two-tier conventionally-armed MRBM plan. The service has outlined a plan for a future variant or derivative of its Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) with MRBM range. There are signs it could be working toward acquiring a new purpose-built MRBM design, as well, as TWZ reported on back in April. The Army has not had an MRBM capability of any kind since it retired its nuclear-armed Pershing IIs in 1991. PrSM is also being offered for export, at least to top-tier U.S. allies and partners. Australia is set to be the first foreign operator of the missile, and just recently test-fired one in the country for the first time as part of the biennial Talisman Saber exercise, in which the U.S. military is also participating. In general, the very high terminal speeds ballistic missiles reach make them especially well-suited for employment against high-value time-sensitive targets. Missiles traveling at hypersonic velocities also present additional challenges for defenders. Those speeds give the missiles an inherent ability to burrow deeper into hardened targets, as well. The utility of ballistic missiles has been on full display on both sides of the ongoing war in Ukraine in recent years. Russia made a particular statement last year when it fired a previously unknown ballistic missile capable of carrying multiple warheads called Oreshnik at Ukraine. There are reports that Ukraine is getting close to fielding a new domestically-developed ballistic missile of its own, if it hasn't started to do so already. Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Israel, particularly during the 12-Day War in June, have also underscored the value of these weapons and the threats they pose, even against countries with significant missile defense capabilities. Iran has used its ballistic missile arsenal in attacks on Syria, Iraq, and Pakistan, as well. Many countries are fielding new air and sea-launched ballistic missiles, especially China. Israel has made significant use of air-launched ballistic missiles against Iran, including during the conflict in June. Russia has also fired air-launched ballistic missiles at Ukraine. Whether or not Tayfun Block 4 is indeed an MRBM, it is the latest example of Turkey's push to expand and diversify its ballistic missile arsenal, which reflects worldwide trends. Contact the author: joe@
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
What makes Türkiye's Gazap bomb one of the deadliest conventional weapons ever built?
Turkey has made its most forceful statement yet in weapons development. Just days after debuting its hypersonic Tayfun Block 4 missile, Ankara unveiled two major bombs—Gazap and NEB-2 Ghost—at the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul. These weapons, both weighing 970 kilogrammes, mark Turkey's strongest non-nuclear capabilities to date. Their public reveal took place at an event organised by KFA Fairs, supported by Turkey's Defence Industries Secretariat and the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation . The announcements were first reported by TRT Global and Anadolu Agency . Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Data Science Operations Management Management others Degree Data Analytics Others Design Thinking PGDM CXO healthcare Finance Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Healthcare Digital Marketing Data Science Project Management Leadership MCA MBA Public Policy Technology Product Management Skills you'll gain: Data Analysis & Interpretation Programming Proficiency Problem-Solving Skills Machine Learning & Artificial Intelligence Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT MSc in Data Science Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Strategic Data-Analysis, including Data Mining & Preparation Predictive Modeling & Advanced Clustering Techniques Machine Learning Concepts & Regression Analysis Cutting-edge applications of AI, like NLP & Generative AI Duration: 8 Months IIM Kozhikode Professional Certificate in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Gazap: A new benchmark in fragmentation bombs The Gazap bomb, which means Wrath in Turkish, isn't built to just cause damage—it's built to overwhelm. It's a fragmentation bomb designed for wide-area effect, but unlike traditional versions, it deploys its destruction with surgical precision. According to Nilufer Kuzulu , who led the design team, 'Unlike its conventional counterparts, it features a fragment-based structure with 10,000 particles. These fragments disperse within a one-kilometre radius upon detonation.' She went on to highlight the scale of improvement, 'Traditional bombs of this category typically disperse around three fragments per square metre, while Gazap disperses 10.16 fragments per square metre. This makes it three times more powerful than standard MK-series bombs.' Live Events Instead of scattering steel randomly, the bomb mimics a defensive grenade—breaking apart with controlled intensity. The result is a dense and consistent kill zone, unlike anything currently fielded in the region. Test footage shows scale of impact In live military trials, Gazap was dropped from a bomber and captured on video. A blinding flash erupted on impact, followed by visible shockwaves. Moments later, the site was cloaked in a thick cloud of debris, covering a 160-metre-wide area. Its thermobaric design pushes temperatures up to 3,000°C—enough to melt steel, concrete, and human bone. The bomb works by igniting a fuel-air mixture, producing intense overpressure and heat that collapse structures and burn through nearly anything in its path. — BRICSinfo (@BRICSinfo) A senior defence official told Firstpost, 'The R&D centre has modified the explosive and filler design. Qualification and certification processes are complete and ready for use.' Gazap can currently be launched from both F-16 fighter jets and older F-4 Phantom aircraft. Talks are already underway to adapt it for drone deployment. NEB-2 Ghost: A deep strike bunker-buster Sharing the spotlight at IDEF 2025 was the NEB-2 Ghost, or Hayalet. Also weighing 970 kilogrammes, this bomb isn't built for wide destruction but for deep impact. Officials call it 'the best bunker-buster in the field'. In trials, it penetrated seven metres of C50-grade reinforced concrete—three times stronger than the concrete used in nuclear plant protection. For comparison, US bunker busters penetrate 2.4 metres of C35 concrete. 'Normally, in nuclear power plants, US-made missiles penetrate 2.4 metres (7.8 feet) of C35 (standard concrete). NEB-2 penetrates 7 metres of C50 (three times stronger concrete than in nuclear power plants),' an official told TRT. Its testing on an island showed the full extent of its power. Dropped from an aircraft, NEB-2 plunged 90 metres into the earth before detonating. The result: landslides, gas leaks, and shattered rock across a 160-metre radius. What makes NEB-2 even more effective is its delayed detonation. 'The explosion, which normally takes 25 ms (milliseconds), was timed to 240 ms, making it more destructive,' an official added. Tayfun Block 4: Hypersonic ambition Before the bombs took centre stage, Turkey also introduced its first hypersonic ballistic missile—Tayfun Block 4. Developed by Roketsan , it is a hypersonic upgrade of the existing Tayfun series. Weighing 2,300 kg and measuring 6.5 metres in length, the missile reportedly has a range of 800 kilometres, according to Turkey Today. It is said to combine high manoeuvrability with deep strike capabilities, reinforcing Turkey's push towards self-reliant high-tech weaponry. The strategic context: Why it matters for India These developments have not gone unnoticed in India. As reported by MoneyControl, analysts are paying close attention—not just to the technology, but to what it could mean for the region. Turkey has been deepening defence ties with Pakistan. It has supplied combat drones, naval systems, and shared technological know-how. The risk now is that Pakistan may gain access to Gazap-like systems through joint projects or technology transfer. The timing is also significant. Both Turkey and Pakistan have taken coordinated positions on issues like Kashmir in international forums. If Pakistan were to adopt thermobaric or advanced bunker-buster capabilities, it could alter the strategic balance, especially in contested zones. These aren't empty concerns. The scale and sophistication of Gazap and NEB-2 reflect more than military ambition—they point to a broader policy shift in how Turkey positions itself on the world stage. A step below nuclear, but not by much Military analysts have said Gazap ranks just below nuclear weapons in destructive capacity. That makes it among the most potent tools in modern conventional warfare. Thermobaric weapons like it were first conceptualised during World War II, later used extensively by the United States in Vietnam and more recently by Russia in Ukraine. Their use is highly controversial due to the suffering they inflict, especially in enclosed spaces. Still, under international law, these weapons are not banned so long as they're not used on civilian populations. Turkey's investments in R&D and weapons manufacturing are part of a broader strategy: cut dependence on foreign suppliers, boost defence exports, and claim a bigger role in global arms markets. IDEF 2025 has made one thing clear. Ankara is not just building weapons—it is building leverage. And that leverage could soon echo far beyond its borders.
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Business Standard
28-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Explained: Türkiye unveils Gazap, its most powerful non-nuclear bomb yet
Türkiye has reportedly developed its most powerful conventional non-nuclear aircraft bomb to date, the Gazap, weighing 970 kg, according to a report by TRT Global. The Gazap bomb is engineered to disperse fragment explosions with enhanced efficiency. Compatible for deployment from F-16 fighter jets The Gazap bomb's blast radius and impact power provide it with offensive capacity. It is also compatible for deployment from F-16 fighter jets, reinforcing Türkiye's growing aerial strike capabilities. Developed by the National Defence Ministry's research and development (R&D) centre, it disperses 10.16 fragment explosions per metre (3.2 feet), compared to the previous standard of 3 metres (9.8 feet). Alongside Gazap, Türkiye also unveiled the NEB-2 Ghost, a new-generation bunker-buster bomb, at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 held in Istanbul. The NEB-2 Ghost, which weighs 970 kilograms (2,000 pounds), has been described as 'the best bunker-buster in the field".This bomb is specially designed to penetrate reinforced concrete targets and, like the Gazap, can be launched from F-16 aircraft. During a recent test, the NEB-2 was dropped on an island, where it penetrated 90 metres (295 feet), causing landslides, gas leaks, and the destruction of rock formations on an island measuring 160 metres (524 feet) in diameter. An official told TRT that the explosion, which normally takes 25 milliseconds, was timed to 240 milliseconds, making it more destructive. The extended delay in detonation time substantially increased the bomb's destructive force. Tayfun Block 4: Türkiye debuts first hypersonic ballistic missile Earlier this week, Türkiye also introduced its first hypersonic ballistic missile, the Tayfun Block 4, during the same defence expo. This missile is a hypersonic version of the Tayfun, Türkiye's longest-range indigenously produced ballistic missile. Developed by Turkish defence manufacturer Roketsan, the Tayfun Block 4 measures 6.5 metres in length, weighs 2,300 kilograms, and has a reported range of 800 kilometres, according to Turkey Today.
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Türkiye unveils 970-kilogram GAZAP bomb, its most powerful non-nuclear weapon yet
Synopsis Türkiye has developed the GAZAP, its most powerful non-nuclear bomb, designed for enhanced fragment explosions, alongside the NEB-2 Ghost bunker-buster, capable of deep penetration and significant destruction. The NEB-2 Ghost demonstrated impressive performance in tests, causing landslides and gas leaks. Additionally, Türkiye unveiled its first hypersonic ballistic missile, the Tayfun Block 4, at IDEF 2025.
Gulf Insider
26-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Insider
Turkey Showcases New Hypersonic Weapon Amid Standoff With Israel Over Syria
Turkey this week unveiled a range of ballistic missiles and other advanced ordnance at a national arms fair, as the recent Israel-Iran conflict has pushed regional tensions to the brink. Turkish defense manufacturer Roketsan showcased several new systems, including air-to-air missiles, ballistic missiles, and a hypersonic weapon. While Ankara has been producing Tayfun-type ballistic missiles for some time, the latest variant, known as the Tayfun Block 4, is notable for its hypersonic capabilities. Weighing 7.2 tonnes and measuring 10 metres in length, the missile is estimated to have a range of 1,000 kilometers. The unveiling of the Tayfun Block 4 has generated significant media attention, especially as Iran's use of ballistic and hypersonic missiles against Israel remains under close scrutiny across the region. Despite Iran's vulnerable air defenses, it has effectively employed such weapons to strike deep into Israel, including targets in Tel Aviv. 'In today's modern battlefield, the importance of hypersonic ballistic missiles has become abundantly clear, as recent events have shown,' said Murat Ikinci, general manager of Roketsan, at the International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) on Tuesday. He added that the new missile would serve as a force multiplier for the Turkish military. Haluk Gorgun, president of Turkey's Defence Industry Agency, told reporters that several additional missile and hypersonic weapon projects are under way and will be unveiled to the public in due course. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in June that Turkey would strengthen its deterrence by increasing its stockpile of medium- and long-range missiles. In January, Erdogan announced that Ankara had successfully developed a new missile called Cenk, with a 2,000-kilometre range, intended for use in Turkey's space programme. New range of weapons At the defense fair, Roketsan also introduced the 300 ER air-launched missile, capable of striking targets over 500 kilometers away when deployed from platforms such as fighter jets and drones. During recent hostilities, Israel is believed to have used similar missiles to strike targets near the Iraqi border from a safe distance. Meanwhile, the United States has deployed its own bunker buster munition, the GBU-57 A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator, in strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. Additionally, Roketsan unveiled the development of the Simsek-2 satellite launch vehicle, an advanced two-stage, liquid-fuelled system capable of carrying a 1.5-tonne payload to an orbit above 700 kilometres. This marks a significant milestone in Turkey's space technology ambitions. Turkey's Ministry of Defense R&D division also highlighted its latest generation of penetrating munitions, known as NEB. Nilufer Kuzulu, director of the R&D division, explained that the warheads have remained largely out of public view until now, due to the lengthy processes of completion, certification and qualification, following 12 years of development. 'We conducted firing tests against concrete blocks reinforced with C50-grade concrete and 22-millimetre ribbed steel. The NEB we produced penetrated 7 metres into the target,' Kuzulu said. 'Afterward, the main core continued through additional 1.5-tonne concrete blocks and exited, reaching all the way to the sandpit – an extremely challenging accomplishment.' Kuzulu added that the bunker-buster bomb was subsequently tested in an air-drop scenario. 'In this test, our product advanced about 90 meters through a rocky area and even shattered the far side of the rocks,' he said.
