Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense Research & Development (R&D) Centre unveiled a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), named Yıldırımhan, at SAHA EXPO 2026, held in Istanbul from 5 to 9 May. For Türkiye, the programme represents a major step forward in both scale and engineering ambition, and marks the country’s entry into a very limited group of states that have demonstrated the ability to develop ICBM-class systems, including the United States, Russia, China, France, India, and North Korea.

The technical data presented alongside the missile lists a maximum range of 6,000 km [Ed: While this figure is close to the lower range boundary for an ICBM, it would be sufficient to comfortably reach any target in Europe, the Middle East, and north Africa].

Speed is given as a broad envelope from Mach 9 up to Mach 25 [Ed: These figures are understood to represent snapshots during the boost and midcourse phases. While the latter of the two speed figures is slightly higher than typical for a missile with a 6,000 km range, such figures are nonetheless fairly representative of the speeds achievable by ICBMs in general]. The Yıldırımhan is powered by four liquid fuel rocket engines using nitrogen tetroxide (N₂O₄), and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) storable propellant. Liquid propellant is more demanding to handle on the ground than solid fuel, but it is a tried and tested approach for high thrust and heavy-lift designs.

Another key figure shown at SAHA EXPO is the Yıldırımhan’s stated 3,000 kg payload capacity. This points to a large airframe with significant lift margin, rather than a lightweight long-range demonstrator. In accompanying graphics, the missile was shown using a large trailer-based transporter erector launcher (TEL) launch arrangement, consistent with its size and with the ground handling requirements that normally come with liquid-propellant missiles.

Defense Minister Yaşar Güler, speaking at the launch program for new products from the MoD’s R&D Centre, framed the unveiling around sustained engineering effort and the need to keep pushing. He said, “While reaching this point is something to be proud of, evolving technology and diversifying needs necessitate continuous self-renewal. R&D-focused product development and activities play a decisive role in sustainably strengthening the defense industry.” He added, “In this context, our ministry continues its efforts to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces with great determination”.

Yıldırımhan sits at the top end of a broader Turkish missile push that has been building up in layers. Tayfun has already established a domestic short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) base. Cenk followed on as the heavier medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) step. Work around Tayfun Block 4 hypersonic points to continued interest in higher-speed flight regimes at short-medium ranges. With Yıldırımhan, the size, propulsion system choice, and headline numbers shown in Istanbul make it clear that the country’s efforts in rocketry have now reached the intercontinental category.