Turkey Demonstrates Its First Yildirimhan Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

The Turkish Ministry of Defense Research and Development Center has presented Yildirimhan, its first national intercontinental ballistic missile.

Anadolu news agency reported on this.

The missile was presented at the SAHA EXPO 2026 exhibition. Its stated range is up to 6,000 km, with a maximum speed of about Mach 25.

It uses liquid nitrogen tetroxide as propellant. The missile is equipped with four engines and is likely multi-stage, although this has not been officially confirmed.

The warhead is reportedly conventional and weighs about 3 tonnes. Given the long strike range, the system requires high-precision navigation to minimize circular error.

The Yildirimhan is expected to be launched from a mobile wheeled launcher, details of which have not been disclosed.
The presentation took place amid rising regional tensions, including around Iran’s nuclear program.

In February, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that Ankara does not rule out joining a regional nuclear race due to concerns over Iran’s ambitions.

According to him, Turkey seeks to maintain the balance of power in the Middle East, but may reconsider its position if tensions escalate further.

These statements were made amid U.S. efforts to contain Iran’s nuclear program. At the same time, Ankara accused Israel of possessing nuclear weapons, emphasizing that this undermines regional stability — a position Israel neither confirms nor denies.

Fidan said the issue of nuclear weapons development should be considered in a broader strategic context. Turkey does not have a military nuclear program and remains a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

The country is currently implementing nuclear power plant projects intended solely for electricity generation.