Roketsan delivers Tayfun ballistic missiles to Turkish armed forces

The Turkish armed forces are enhancing their long-range strike capabilities from land and air. Domestic manufacturer, Roketsan, has recently delivered Tayfun ballistic missiles as well as SOM cruise missiles. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, editor of Calibre Defence, published on April 1, 2026. 

Roketsan has announced the delivery of Tayfun ballistic and SOM cruise missiles to the Turkish armed forces. Announced on March 25 via social media, the imagery showed eight cruise missiles and ten ballistic. 

“The deterrent power of our Armed Forces, the serial production and deliveries of our TAYFUN Ballistic Missile and SOM Cruise Missile, continue as planned,” the post states. The SOM can be launched from Turkey’s F-16s as well as uncrewed platforms, a line of capability the country has pursued with some interest. 

Roketsan has cooperated with Baykar Technologies on several uncrewed integrations, including its IHA-122 missile, which was fired from a Bayraktar TB3. The company’s products have also been used extensively on operations: The MAM-L and MAM-C smart munitions are what the TB2 drone carried in Nagorno-Karabakh and Syria. 

However, SOM and Tayfun represent the higher end of Turkey’s strike capabilities. The drone-based munitions are effective, but lack the survivability typically associated with precision cruise and ballistic missiles. The SOM would likely be integrated onto Turkey’s F-16s and the Kaan fighter once it enters service. 

The Tayfun is ground-launched, providing a tactical ballistic missile. Ballistic missiles have proven to be very survivable in Ukraine, their trajectories difficult for most air defences to intercept. So, this will make a significant addition to Turkey’s long-range strike capabilities, assuming that the reconnaissance assets can be brought together into an effective targeting network.

Tech profile: Tayfun and SOM

The two missiles provide different elements of a well-developed strike capability. They are domestically produced in Turkey, representing the country’s efforts to build its resilience and independence outside of foreign suppliers. 

Calibre comment: Turkey’s regional security 

Turkey faces a number of threats that are primarily sub-peer. It has a presence in Syria and has faced long-term terror threats from Kurdish militias. While they have subsided to some extent, especially following the call for the PKK to disarm in 2024, they remain a possibility. Further abroad, the Turkish government continues to prepare for the possibility of conflict over Cyprus, and has very strained relations with Israel. This, along with the Erdogan government’s commitment to re-establishing Turkish regional interests are driving the need for domestically developed weapons. 

If you would like to read more on some recent integrations of Roketsan weaponry onto Turkish drones, check out the links below: 

• Kemankeş 1 Scores Direct Hits on Airborne Targets – Calibre Defence 
• Defence in brief: Bayraktar TB3 test fires IHA-122 missile 
• Bayraktar Kizilelma completes another flight test. – Calibre Defence 

The lead image shows the SOM cruise missiles arranged for delivery. Credit: Roketsan.