Turkey has unveiled a prototype of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) named Yildirimhan, developed by the Defence Ministry's research centre, at the SAHA 2026 defence exhibition in Istanbul.

The missile has a range of 6,000 km, classifying it as an ICBM. It boasts a maximum speed of Mach 25, four rocket propulsion engines, and a payload capacity of 3,000 kg. Production has not yet begun.

Defence Minister Yasar Guler stated: "In this era where economic cost has become an asymmetric weapon, Turkey offers its allies not only weapon systems but also technology and a sustainable security economy."

Experts view the capability to produce ICBMs as more significant than the missile itself. Ozgur Unluhisarcikli of the German Marshall Fund said: "Turkey does not need ICBMs to deter any immediate security threat. It is the capability to produce them that matters."

Security analyst Burak Yildirim noted the ICBM design indirectly supports Turkey's civilian space programme, Delta-V, but cautioned that the prototype is a concept with no confirmed flight tests or construction of test facilities.

The unveiling comes amid heightened Middle East tensions, including the US-Israel war on Iran and ongoing Israeli violations of ceasefires. Turkey's missile advances are seen as a response to regional instability and deteriorating relations with Israel.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett labelled Turkey a "threat," while President Erdogan has condemned Israel's actions in Gaza. Analysts say the ICBM sends messages to both allies and adversaries, including an "increasingly aggressive Israel."

Turkey, home to NATO's second-largest army, has prioritised defence self-sufficiency. Defence exports hit a record $10.05 billion in 2025, with the Bayraktar TB2 drone exported to at least 31 countries.

Source: www.aljazeera.com