Turkey launches mass production of hypersonic missile in 2026, ambitions to reach the cutting edge

Roketsan has announced the launch of mass production

At a recent event in the defense industry, the Turkish concern Roketsan officially announced that mass production of a new hypersonic missile will begin in 2026. This is not just an announcement, but Ankara's bid for a place in the club of countries capable of creating and using one of the most sophisticated weapons of the 21st century.

Roketsan, already known for its tactical missiles and ATGMs, is now betting on super-speed.

What is known about the Turkish hypersonic missile

Details are still scarce. The exact speed, range, and engine type have not been officially disclosed. But according to indirect data and statements by experts, we are talking about a rocket capable of reaching speeds of Mach 5 and above — that is, a real hypersonic system.

It is expected that it will use a combined power plant: a solid-fuel accelerator at launch and, possibly, a ramjet engine at the launch site. The goal is to defeat both land and sea targets with minimal reaction time.

Why 2026 is not just a date, but a challenge

2026 is an ambitious deadline. For a country that was dependent on imports in the field of armaments 15 years ago, to enter mass production of hypersonic weapons in such a time is a giant leap. This requires not only engineering solutions, but also its own base of materials science, aerodynamics, control systems and testing infrastructure.

Turkey is actively building landfills, attracting scientists, and investing in research and development. And if the deadlines are met, it will become a symbol of its technological rise.

Turkey in the race for speed

China, Russia, and the United States are currently leading the hypersonic race. India and France are on the way. Turkey is not an obvious participant, but its strategy is clear.: become independent from suppliers and create weapons that can penetrate modern air defense systems.

A hypersonic missile is not just a strike force. It is a deterrent tool. And its appearance will change the balance of power in the region — from the Mediterranean to the Middle East.

Sources

1. BusinessMir.kz — specifications and production plans for Tayfun Block-4
2. RBC — unveiling of the missile at IDEF 2025
3. Hi-Tech Mail.ru — technical overview and future applications
4. Lenta.ru — presentation and strategic importance for Turkey
5. AiF Moskva — details on Turkey’s first hypersonic missile
6. Kommersant — official Roketsan statement and missile details
7. RTVI — analysis of Tayfun Block-4’s impact on regional power balance

The Azerbaijani Navy has adopted Turkish unmanned Salvo boats

The Azerbaijani Navy has officially adopted Turkish unmanned Salvo surface boats equipped with guided missiles. These modern combat drones were presented for the first time as part of exercises in the Caspian Sea, highlighting the new capabilities of the Azerbaijani navy.

The Salvo boats were developed by the Turkish shipyard Dearsan Shipyard together with the companies Aselsan, Roketsan and Yaltes. This project is Azerbaijan's first naval unmanned combat vehicle, which is capable of performing reconnaissance tasks, patrolling and fire support in a maritime combat situation.

The use of unmanned Salvo boats significantly expands the capabilities of the Azerbaijani Naval Forces in ensuring security and control over the maritime spaces of the Caspian Sea. Thanks to the use of guided missiles, drones can effectively fire at potential threats and increase the response to any incidents in the water area.

Turkish "surprise container": Roketsan revealed a hidden launcher for barrage ammunition at IDEF 2025

 

EREN

At the IDEF 2025 International defense exhibition in Istanbul, the Turkish company Roketsan surprised the audience by presenting a truly unexpected version of its new EREN barrage ammunition system. The main feature is the container option, which radically changes how mobile operations can be conducted in enemy territory.

Imagine an ordinary cargo container mounted on the side of a truck. At first glance, this is a typical picture on any road. But inside this "civilian" container, an entire strike system is hidden: it is capable of carrying and launching up to 12 high-speed barrage munitions. This disguise allows you to deploy a powerful fire group almost anywhere without being noticed. This is a direct blow to the enemy's intelligence systems — the launcher looks like a harmless transport.

This innovation is not just another modification, but a real turning point in Turkey's strategy. It highlights the country's desire to create weapons that are both adaptable, survivable, and easily deployable. The system is ideal for quick reaction and pinpoint strikes on important targets, while remaining in the shadows.

The potential of this container platform is huge — it is interesting both for the Turkish army and for export markets. Its appearance vividly demonstrates the growing global trend towards the creation of multi-purpose modular weapon systems that can be quickly adapted to any task.

Turkey has released a combat "dog" with missiles

 

KOZ

At the IDEF 2025 international defense exhibition in Istanbul, Turkey stunned the world with its new development — KOZ, a robotic "dog" on four legs that does not just walk and turn, but shoots laser-guided missiles. Yes, you heard right.: This is a real fighting machine, similar to a metal dog, but with a weapon capable of hitting a target from a distance.

The developer is the Turkish company Roketsan, known for its high—precision missiles. KOZ is not a toy, but a serious platform combining artificial intelligence, autonomous navigation and shock capabilities. It can independently patrol complex terrain — ruins, forests, mountains — detect targets and, at the command of the operator or in semi-autonomous mode, deliver pinpoint strikes.

The exhibition showed how KOZ carries miniature laser—guided missiles, the same ones used in other Turkish drones and systems. This allows her to hit enemy armored vehicles, shelters, or manpower with high accuracy and minimal risk to her own.

Why do we need such a "dog" at all? In modern conflicts, it is increasingly necessary to operate in urban environments, where cool equipment — tanks and armored personnel carriers — is vulnerable. But a small, agile robot can penetrate where no human can go and destroy the threat before it strikes.

KOZ's debut is not just a technology show. This is part of Turkey's ambitious strategy to become self-sufficient in defense: from drones to robots, from electronics to missiles. The country is already known for its Bayraktar drones, and now it is moving further into the era of autonomous combat systems.

And although KOZ looks like a prototype so far, its appearance is a signal: the future of war is already here. And it's not really barking, it's shooting.

Turkey has figured out how to shoot ballistics from containers — the new Roketsan system shocked at IDEF 2025

 

Turkey has just shown a trump card: at the IDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Istanbul, Roketsan introduced a system that can make military competitors' eyes go dark. Imagine: an ordinary shipping container is the same as that of trucks and ships. And inside is a ready—to-launch missile system capable of launching six Kara Atmaca (ATMACA-UM) missiles with a range of more than 400 kilometers.

Yes, yes, you heard right. This is not a launcher in the bushes or on a military base — these are missiles from a container, as if from a box. Such a "gift package" can be easily driven into a port, put on a truck, or even hidden in an urban area. And then — once! — and launch at a target that would be unsafe to poke with your finger.

The system is based on the already well-known Turkish anti-ship and land-based Kara Atmaca missile, but modified for sea containers. It is part of a new concept: stealth, mobility and surprise. The enemy doesn't know where you are, doesn't see the launcher, and when he hears the roar of the engines, it's too late.

Roketsan says it bluntly: This system allows you to strike from places that *look completely harmless*. That is, you can be standing on the beach, in an industrial zone or in a parking lot — and suddenly a ballistic missile launches from this "peaceful" container. It's not just convenient, it's psychologically overwhelming.

For Turkey, this is another step towards full independence in military technology. And for other countries, it's a reason to think: now a missile strike can come literally from nowhere.

Turkey is making progress in creating a multi-level air defense system "Steel Dome"

Turkey is actively working to create its own multi-level air defense system called the Steel Dome, which should become the cornerstone of national security and the protection of the country's airspace. This project received a new impetus against the background of the aggravation of the Iranian-Israeli conflict, which prompted Ankara to strengthen measures to protect its borders and airspace.

Main characteristics of the Steel Dome system

- Multi—level architecture: The system will consist of four echelons - short-range anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM), short- and medium-range air defense systems, extended-range complexes and laser counteraction systems.

- Integration and automation: All components will be integrated into a single network using modern electronic warfare (EW) and control systems, which will ensure effective detection and destruction of aerial threats in real time.

- Laser weapons: The system will include laser installations capable of neutralizing drones and projectiles at short distances, which will significantly increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of defense.

- National production: The systems are being developed and manufactured by leading Turkish defense companies such as ASELSAN and ROKETSAN, which reduces dependence on foreign technology and strengthens the country's defense industry.

Reasons and relevance of creation

The decision to create the "Steel Dome" was made in August 2024 at a meeting of the Turkish National Security Council. The aggravation of the situation in the Middle East, in particular, the Israeli attacks on Iran, forced Ankara to strengthen the protection of its airspace and land borders.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced plans to increase production of medium- and long-range missiles, stressing the importance of creating a reliable air defense system that could ensure the deterrence and security of the country.

Current achievements and plans

- Korkut anti-aircraft guns and HISAR medium-range systems capable of hitting targets at distances from 15 to 40 km have already been developed and are being tested.

- Work is underway on extended-range complexes such as SIPER, capable of destroying multiple targets simultaneously at a distance of over 100 km.

- Laser anti-drone guns are being actively tested, which will be able to work offline around the clock.

- Turkey plans to commission a fully national Steel Dome system by 2028, and its own satellite guidance system by 2030 to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of air defense.

Importance for regional security

The creation of a "Steel Dome" will allow Turkey to significantly increase its level of protection against modern aerial threats, including ballistic missiles, drones and enemy aircraft. This will strengthen the country's strategic independence and enhance its role in ensuring stability in the region.

A new high-precision ammunition for the MAM-L UAV has been developed

 

High-precision ammunition for the MAM-L UAV

Developed by the Turkish company Roketsan specifically for use with UAVs, the high-precision small–sized ammunition (bomb) MAM-L (SMM - Smart Micro Munition) weighing 22 kg is actually a "trimmed" version of the ATGM Roketsan L-UMTAS (weight 37.5 kg) with the removal of the rocket engine section and equipped with a laser semi-active guidance system. The length of the ammunition is 1 m, the caliber is 160 mm. A 10 kg warhead can be of two types – high-explosive fragmentation or tandem cumulative. It is claimed that when dropped from a significant altitude, the range of the MAM-L exceeds 8 km. The MAM-L (Smart Micro Munition) is a special lightweight guided munition designed for attack drones. This bomb is equipped with a high-precision laser beam guidance system and performs a gliding flight to the target. The ammunition guidance system allows you to hit with an error of no more than one meter.The combat effectiveness of the MAM-L has already been proven when using the Bayraktar TB2 by the armed forces of the Republic of Turkey. As the experience of the Turkish army has proved, high-precision guidance of ammunition and a relatively small warhead make it possible to use the MAM-L against an enemy who is hiding behind civilian objects, without risking civilian life. 

Specifications:

- Diameter: 160 mm

- Length: 1000 mm

- Weight: 22 kg

- Maximum range: 8 km

- Type of warhead: high-explosive fragmentation or tandem cumulative

- Control system: Laser beam guidance GPS

- Target type: Heavy armored vehicles and armored vehicles

- Media: UAVs, light attack aircraft.

Turkey has successfully tested the underwater launch of the Atmaca anti-ship missile

On March 12, 2025, the Turkish Navy successfully completed firing tests of the Atmaca anti-ship missile launched from a submarine. This was announced by the head of the Department of Defense Industry (SSB) Haluk Gergun. The test took place off the coast of Mersin in the Mediterranean Sea from the submarine TCG Preveze.

The Atmaca missile was enclosed in a waterproof capsule equipped with a screw designed specifically for installation in a 533 mm torpedo tube of a submarine. 

Atmaca is a Turkish long—range all-weather anti-ship missile developed by Roketsan. It can be used from various platforms, including submarines, surface ships and coastal missile systems. The missile has the following characteristics:

- Effective firing range: more than 220 kilometers.

- Maximum speed: 1100 kilometers per hour.

- Type of warhead: high-explosive fragmentation with a mass of 250 kg.

- Rocket weight: about 750 kg.

- Length: up to 5200 mm.

The successful Atmaca test from a submarine underscores Turkey's growing military and technical strength and its ability to This also means that Turkey may use such missiles in the future to strengthen its naval defenses and build up its power in the region.