Türkiye’s progress in indigenous missile technologies has reached a new stage with the latest test of the TAYFUN Block-3 missile. The Block-3 version of the nationally developed TAYFUN missile successfully demonstrated a critical capability by hitting a moving surface target at long range with pinpoint accuracy. During the test, the missile reportedly locked onto the target with its seeker head and destroyed it with surgical precision.

President of the Presidency of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün announced that TAYFUN Block-3 successfully hit a moving target in a test firing that further advanced its long-range precision strike capability. Görgün emphasized that TAYFUN is one of the strategic capabilities strengthening Türkiye’s deterrence and stated that the system will make an important contribution to the country’s security architecture. He also highlighted the efforts of ROKETSAN, subcontractors, engineers, technicians and the teams of the Presidency of Defense Industries behind this achievement.

According to the statement made by ROKETSAN, TAYFUN Block-3, which can reach hypersonic speeds, offers high strike power and precision. The destruction of a moving surface target at long range for the first time showed that the missile has gained an effective engagement capability not only against land targets, but also against moving threats at sea. This feature stands out as a significant development in terms of increasing Türkiye’s target diversity and operational flexibility in ballistic missile technologies.

As part of the test, a freely moving unmanned surface vehicle or vessel designated as an enemy element was targeted. In the firing, which used a live warhead, the target was successfully engaged and destroyed thanks to seeker head integration. Thus, a capability demonstrated for the first time in Türkiye and seen in only a limited number of examples worldwide was showcased: a ballistic missile successfully destroyed a freely moving surface target at sea. The unmanned surface vehicle, approximately 7 meters long and representing a small fishing boat, was neutralized by TAYFUN Block-3 at very high speed.

ROKETSAN General Manager Murat İkinci stated that the test carried out in the Black Sea once again demonstrated the engineering capabilities of TAYFUN Block-3. İkinci noted that seeker head integration played a critical role in hitting the moving target at long range with full accuracy. This integration has strategic value because it enables a ballistic missile-class system to be used more precisely and selectively against moving naval targets.

TAYFUN is known as a highly reliable missile system developed by ROKETSAN to create effects against targets in depth. Its flight speed reaching hypersonic levels increases the missile’s effectiveness against air defense systems, while its high strike accuracy helps reduce the risk of unintended damage. TAYFUN Block-3’s successful engagement of a moving naval target has been recorded as an important milestone strengthening Türkiye’s long-range precision strike, maritime engagement and strategic deterrence capabilities.