At SAHA 2026, Turkey showcased a model of the Yıldırımhan ballistic missile with an announced range of approximately 6,000 km, speeds between Mach 9 and Mach 25, and a payload capacity of up to 3 tons, with no publicly detailed timeline or testing. This presentation comes as comparable vectors multiply, from the Russian Oreshnik to the South Korean Hyunmoo 5, along with North Korean IRBM, SLBM, and ICBM programs. The displayed parameters and the lack of operational indications maintain uncertainty about the intended use and readiness for service entry.
The missile was unveiled at the stand of the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Türkiye during the exhibition held in Istanbul from May 5 to 9. The project is supported by the ministry's research and development center. The on-site information sheets presented the system as an intercontinental ballistic missile given its range. No elements were communicated regarding command architecture, firing doctrine, deployment platforms, or integration with existing capabilities of the Turkish army, whether land or naval.
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