Turkey unveils YILDIRIMHAN, its longest-range hypersonic missile

Wed, 06 May 2026 12:47:00 +0200

Turkey’s Defense Ministry revealed the YILDIRIMHAN, a liquid-fueled ballistic missile capable of hypersonic speeds, marking the longest-range missile developed domestically in Turkey. The missile was showcased at the SAHA 2026 defense exhibition in Istanbul, alongside other locally developed military technologies including a jamming software system (Gölgehan), the Güçhan turbofan engine, and the PNR-35 sniper rifle. Defense Minister Yaşar Güler emphasized that these systems are designed to meet the Turkish army’s needs through domestic research and development, highlighting the country’s increasing focus on self-reliance in defense. Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey has significantly expanded its defense industry, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and becoming a major producer of drones and defensive equipment. Earlier, Erdogan announced the delivery of Turkey’s first domestically-made Steel Dome air defense system, positioning it as a milestone in national defense ca