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Roketsan General Manager Murat Ikinci announced that the Tayfun Block-4 hypersonic ballistic missile is approaching the final stages of development with test firings set to begin, while revealing the company's sustained 50% annual growth in dollar terms during an interview at the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025).
Speaking at the Anadolu Agency Technology Desk on Saturday, Ikinci highlighted significant advances across multiple missile programs and positioned Türkiye's UAV systems and munitions as world-leading technologies.
Ikinci provided the first detailed update on the advanced Tayfun Block-4 missile system, describing it as one of Roketsan's heaviest, largest, and fastest missiles currently under development.
"Tayfun Block-4 is approaching the final stages of development and test firings are hopefully beginning. Tayfun is a large family and will expand even more," Ikinci stated.
He characterized the missile as representing the cutting edge of Turkish ballistic missile technology, noting its hypersonic capabilities, long-range performance, and advanced warhead design.
"Tayfun Block-4 is currently one of the most advanced examples of ballistic missile technology that shows the point reached by the Turkish defense industry, parallel to the developments in our environment. Tayfun Block-4 is a missile that will add strength to the Turkish Armed Forces due to its hypersonic nature, long range, and the warhead it carries," Ikinci explained.
The Roketsan chief detailed the sophisticated sensor capabilities integrated into the Tayfun family, emphasizing both offensive and defensive technological features.
"Tayfun's important features include being hypersonic as well as the sensors it carries. These sensors also incorporate many technologies that can both effectively engage their targets and protect themselves from the effects on the battlefield," he said.
Ikinci indicated that additional Tayfun variants are under development, with new capabilities being added based on mission requirements and warhead diversification needs.
"R&D work continues. When these R&D studies reach a certain maturity, we will share them as we did with Tayfun Block-4. Some may be abandoned before reaching a certain maturity. But the Tayfun family will continue by adding new capabilities to its features and capabilities," he stated.
Ikinci unveiled details about the GOKBORA solid-fuel ramjet air-to-air missile, specifically designed for internal launch from KAAN fighter jets and Kizilelma unmanned combat aircraft.
"GOKBORA missile can basically be launched from inside Kizilelma and KAAN platforms, that is, from internal weapon stations. Thus, it will be a missile that can engage air targets without disrupting their stealth features," he explained.
The executive noted close collaboration with TUBITAK SAGE, which develops the liquid-fuel ramjet GOKHAN missile, creating complementary capabilities for Turkish air platforms.
"This missile will actually be able to be directed to its target with data collected from other sensors, not just from the sensors on the aircraft. It incorporates many technologies within itself. This will be one of the features that we have brought to the highest point on the air-to-air missile side," Ikinci said.
Ikinci emphasized Türkiye's dominant position in unmanned aerial vehicle technology and associated munitions systems.
"Türkiye's UAVs are by far the best in the world. Not only our UAVs, but the munitions we use on UAVs are also by far the best in the world," he stated. He highlighted the diversity of Turkish UAV munitions, asserting that no other country possesses comparable variety in this technology sector.
Ikinci reported exceptional company performance with consistent 50% annual growth in dollar terms, positioning Roketsan as the world's 11th fastest-growing defense company.
"Roketsan's volume is growing very rapidly in all areas. Roketsan is an institution that grows at around 50% annually in dollar terms. We think this growth will continue in the next period," he stated.
The company contributes approximately 25% of its revenue from UAV munitions, with growth accelerating through international UAV sales.
The CEO emphasized Roketsan's commitment to reinvesting all profits into research and development and production infrastructure expansion.
"Roketsan invests all the money it earns completely in R&D and production infrastructure. With the investments we have made in recent years, Roketsan's mass production capabilities have increased exponentially," Ikinci said.
The company maintains over 2,000 suppliers, with approximately 500 active suppliers and nearly 100 strategic suppliers functioning as integral parts of Roketsan's operations.
Ikinci reported significant international interest at IDEF 2025, with contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars finalized during the exhibition.
"There is no international delegation that comes to IDEF and does not talk to us. Roketsan's success in field products increases interest," he noted.
He attributed growing international attention to the proven battlefield performance of Turkish defense systems and Roketsan's ability to rapidly adapt new technologies.
The executive lastly noted increasing recognition from established defense industry leaders regarding Turkish defense capabilities.
"This is not just what we say, even the managers of countries that are ahead in the defense industry are trying to understand this development of the Turkish defense industry. The questions that come to us at NATO meetings and international defense fairs are generally, 'How could you adapt so much technology so quickly? How did you achieve this success?'" Ikinci stated.
He emphasized that Turkish defense industry success benefits not only Türkiye but also Muslim and Turkic regions seeking enhanced security capabilities.
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