Türkiye has passed another critical stage in its national air-to-air missile development efforts. Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır announced that the GÖKDOĞAN and BOZDOĞAN air-to-air missiles successfully hit their targets with full accuracy during their latest tests using live warheads. With this achievement, both missile systems have completed their verification processes and crossed an important threshold on the path to serial production.

Developed by TÜBİTAK SAGE, GÖKDOĞAN and BOZDOĞAN are among Türkiye’s most important national missile projects. These systems are designed to provide Turkish fighter aircraft with indigenous air-to-air engagement capability, reducing dependence on foreign-supplied munitions. The successful completion of live-warhead tests shows that the missiles have reached a level of maturity suitable for operational use.

Minister Kacır stated that the latest tests were not only a technical success, but also a clear demonstration of Türkiye’s deterrence, engineering capability and determination in the skies. Following the successful verification process, serial production activities for the missiles have also begun. This development is considered a major milestone for the Turkish defense industry and the country’s air combat capabilities.

BOZDOĞAN is designed as a within-visual-range air-to-air missile, while GÖKDOĞAN is developed to meet beyond-visual-range air engagement requirements. Together, these two national missiles will expand the range of indigenous weapons available to the Turkish Air Force and increase the mission flexibility of fighter aircraft. Their integration into the inventory is expected to further strengthen Türkiye’s air superiority capabilities.

The GÖKDOĞAN and BOZDOĞAN projects also reflect the technological level achieved under Türkiye’s National Technology Initiative. The use of live warheads during the tests and the successful destruction of targets indicate that the missile body, guidance system, warhead, firing chain and flight control infrastructure operated in harmony. This success strengthens Türkiye’s position among countries capable of developing, testing and producing their own advanced air-to-air missile systems.

Minister Kacır congratulated TÜBİTAK SAGE engineers, technicians and all stakeholders who contributed to the projects. The completion of the verification processes for GÖKDOĞAN and BOZDOĞAN represents a significant achievement for Türkiye in terms of technological independence and air power deterrence. With serial production underway, these national missiles are expected to become a new force multiplier for the Turkish Air Force.