ROKETSAN General Manager Murat İkinci announced that production has begun on the TAYFUN Block-3 ballistic missile, featuring an active seeker head, with deliveries scheduled to start in 2026. The missile is designed to engage moving maritime targets and hardened shelters with precision and cost efficiency.
Why it matters
- The seeker-equipped TAYFUN Block-3 enhances Turkey’s ability to strike dynamic sea-based threats and fortified installations.
- Development of TAYFUN Block-4 is ongoing, with recent signals indicating upcoming flight tests.
- The ramjet-powered GÖKBORA air-to-air missile is slated for integration on F-16, KIZILELMA, and AKINCI platforms without priority sequencing.
İkinci made these remarks during an interview at TEKNOFEST Southeast, emphasizing GÖKBORA’s critical role in air superiority and confirming simultaneous integration efforts across all three platforms. He noted that during testing, the HAVA-300 ER successfully engaged targets beyond 250 kilometers. Work continues on a multi-munition concept for the KARAOK anti-tank system to counter kamikaze drones. Additionally, the first export of the BARBAROS Coastal Defense System to Azerbaijan has been completed, with deliveries expected shortly; the joint AzROKSAN facility in Azerbaijan will commence operations producing 122mm-class munitions.
The induction of TAYFUN Block-3 into Turkish Armed Forces inventory will rapidly expand its ballistic missile stockpile, strengthening deep-strike and deterrence capabilities against maritime threats. Meanwhile, the BARBAROS export and AzROKSAN facility mark a shift from cooperation to production partnership in Turkey-Azerbaijan defense industry collaboration.
Source: gdh haber merkezi