Breaking News: Roketsan presents Türkiye’s first hypersonic missile Tayfun Block-4 at IDEF 2025.

Türkiye officially presented its first hypersonic ballistic missile, the Tayfun Block-4, at the opening of the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025, held in Istanbul from July 22 to 27. The missile was developed by Roketsan and introduced alongside five additional new systems, marking a major stage in the ongoing expansion of Türkiye’s long-range strike capabilities. The launch was attended by senior military officials and defense industry leaders, including the Presidents of the Turkish Land and Naval Forces, the head of the Defense Industries Presidency (SSB), and Roketsan’s CEO Murat İkinci. The unveiling took place during this six-day event gathering more than 900 Turkish and 400 foreign defense firms and delegations from 103 countries, including 44 that opened national pavilions.
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Roketsan CEO Murat İkinci confirmed that the Tayfun Block-4 is ready to enter Turkish service by the end of 2025 and stressed that the system is not currently intended for export, emphasizing its role as a dedicated asset for the Turkish Armed Forces. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Tayfun Block-4 is an upgraded, hypersonic-capable version of the earlier Tayfun short-range ballistic missile, first tested in 2022 and placed into production after subsequent firings in 2023 and 2025. The missile measures 10 meters in length, has a diameter of 938 millimeters, and weighs approximately 7,200 kilograms. Powered by solid composite propellant and reportedly launched from a VOLAT mobile platform, the missile features an inertial navigation system assisted by GPS and GLONASS, with a reported accuracy of 5 to 10 meters CEP. With an estimated speed of Mach 5, according to statements made during IDEF 2025, the Tayfun Block-4 range is currently estimated at 800 kilometers, with statements from officials suggesting future variants could exceed 1,000 kilometers. The warhead is a pre-fragmented, multi-purpose high-explosive type intended to destroy strategic land-based targets including air defense systems, command posts, aircraft hangars, and critical infrastructure. The missile is reported to be resistant to electronic warfare and capable of operating in day or night and under all weather conditions.

Roketsan’s official data, confirmed by presentations and press releases at IDEF, states that Tayfun Block-4 was developed to address operational requirements for high-speed, precision strikes from mobile launchers. Its maneuverability and launch-readiness time are intended to offer tactical flexibility, while its high speed is designed to complicate interception by current air defense systems. The missile is considered to represent the highest-performing member of the Tayfun family to date and is not currently designated for export. A number of Turkish sources trace the missile's origins to the 1990s Yıldırım program, initially influenced by Chinese inputs, and note that the Tayfun family evolved from the Bora tactical ballistic missile, also developed by Roketsan. Independent analyses have stated that Türkiye’s ability to reach a strategic range of 1,000 kilometers with an indigenously developed hypersonic missile places it among a limited number of states with similar capabilities.

Alongside the Tayfun Block-4, Roketsan presented five additional systems. The Akata system is an encapsulated submarine-launched version of the Atmaca anti-ship missile with a range exceeding 250 kilometers and a high-explosive fragmentation warhead, designed to engage naval and land-based targets. The Gökbora air-to-air missile, with a range greater than 100 nautical miles, uses a ramjet engine and is compatible with manned and unmanned aircraft, including Türkiye’s TF-X (Kaan) and Kızılelma. Eren is a turbojet-powered loitering munition capable of striking both ground and aerial targets, with a range over 100 kilometers, and is launchable from UAVs, helicopters, land vehicles, and ships. The 300 ER is an air-launched ballistic missile designed for deployment from UAVs and jet aircraft with a range exceeding 500 kilometers, depending on launch altitude and velocity. The Şimşek-2 is a two-stage liquid-fueled satellite launch vehicle able to place 1,500-kilogram payloads into sun-synchronous orbit above 700 kilometers, and complements the Şimşek-1, whose first test launch is planned for 2027.

Roketsan CEO Murat İkinci described the new systems as being the result of ongoing research and development efforts, adding that dozens of other prototype missile and munition systems are currently in various stages of testing. While Tayfun Block-4 will be integrated exclusively into the Turkish Armed Forces for now, İkinci confirmed that other unveiled systems, including Akata and Gökbora, may support future international partnerships. He also indicated that Roketsan's goal is to increase its role in strategic missile and space technologies, expand long-range precision strike capabilities, and maintain electronic warfare resilience across platforms. During live interviews, İkinci emphasized the technical characteristics of each system and the operational contexts for which they are intended, including high-speed response, strike depth, and survivability against integrated air defense environments.

The international reception to Tayfun Block-4 has reflected the broader geopolitical implications of its introduction. Greek defense publications interpreted the missile’s unveiling as a factor requiring updates to national defense systems, particularly in long-range radar and Patriot PAC-3 MSE upgrades. Indian media coverage noted the timing of the announcement amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, with references to earlier Turkish defense exports to Islamabad. Turkish foreign policy observers connected the missile’s strategic role to Türkiye’s stated ambition of building an autonomous missile force, particularly in view of previous export restrictions by NATO member states. Reports also highlighted the inclusion of modular warhead options in the Tayfun Block-4 design, enabling the missile to be tailored to different strike missions under conventional parameters.

IDEF 2025 has served as a platform for Turkish defense companies to sign commercial agreements and present new technologies to a broad range of actors, including from the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, and South Asia. In addition to Roketsan, other companies present include Baykar, Turkish Aerospace Industries, Aselsan, Havelsan, FNSS, Otokar, and MKE. Major international defense firms in attendance include Airbus, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and Rolls-Royce. The event features displays of tanks, UAVs, naval platforms, satellite systems, command-control technologies, and guided munitions. Turkish officials have stated that the fair aims to promote national platforms, expand exports, and demonstrate technical self-sufficiency. The Tayfun Block-4’s presentation is positioned within this broader narrative of industrial development, strategic deterrence, and technological autonomy.