Turkey Tests New Thermobaric and Concrete-Penetrating Bombs

Turkey has successfully tested two high-yield bombs: the GAZAP thermobaric fragmentation bomb and the NEB-2 Ghost concrete-piercing bomb, state broadcaster TRT reported.

The GAZAP is a 2,000-pound (907-kilogram) thermobaric bomb developed by the Research and Development Center of the Turkish Ministry of National Defense.

First presented at the IDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Istanbul, the bomb features enhanced fragmentation and explosive power.

According to officials, it generates three times more fragments than previous versions.

“The Research and Development Center modified the explosive composition and body design. The qualification and certification processes are complete, and the bomb is ready for operational use,” a defense official shared with TRT.

The second munition, the NEB-2 Ghost, is a 2,000-pound bunker-buster designed to destroy reinforced concrete structures. It is described as “the best bunker buster in the field,” the official mentioned.

“U.S.-made bombs typically penetrate 2.4 meters (7.8 feet) of C35-grade concrete. The NEB-2 can breach 7 meters of C50-grade concrete, which is about three times stronger,” the official added.

However, that claim appears questionable. Only heavier munitions, such as the 1,800–2,300-kilogram U.S. GBU-28 series, are known to deliver comparable penetration, typically when dropped from very high altitudes.

During a test, the NEB-2 was reportedly dropped on an island, penetrating to a depth of 90 meters and causing landslides, gas leaks, and rock collapse across a 160-meter-wide area. The extreme depth of penetration suggests the test took place in soft soil rather than solid rock.

Recently, Turkish defense firm Roketsan presented the TAYFUN Block-4 ballistic missile, an upgraded version of its existing system. The missile reportedly has a range of around 1,000 km and improved speed, enhancing its ability to evade missile defense systems.

The TAYFUN Block-4 weighs approximately 7.3 tons, measures about 10 meters in length, and has a diameter of 610 mm.