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Türkiye's Tayfun missile soars from Black Sea coast again as Block 2, 3 enter serial production

The photo shows Turkish defense firm Roketsan's Tayfun ballistic missile during a test in Rize, Türkiye, on Oct. 1, 2026. (IHA Photo)
October 02, 2026 10:17 AM GMT+03:00

Turkish defense firm Roketsan and Türkiye's Defense Industries Presidency (SSB) carried out a new test firing of the domestically developed Tayfun missile from Rize-Artvin Airport on the Black Sea coast, completing it successfully on Thursday.

Heavy security measures were taken inside and around the airport during the test. Officials did not say which Tayfun variant was fired or disclose the target and range.

The test comes as Roketsan says two newer Tayfun variants, Block 2 and Block 3, have entered serial production, with Block 3 deliveries due to begin this year.

The photo shows Turkish defense firm Roketsan's Tayfun ballistic missile during a test in Rize, Türkiye, on Oct. 1, 2026. (IHA Photo)
The photo shows Turkish defense firm Roketsan's Tayfun ballistic missile during a test in Rize, Türkiye, on Oct. 1, 2026. (IHA Photo)

Tayfun Block 2 and Block 3 in serial production

Roketsan CEO Murat Ikinci told Turkish media outlet CNN Turk at the Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2026) in Azerbaijan that Tayfun Block 2 and Block 3 have entered serial production, and that Block 3 deliveries will start this year.

Ikinci said Block 3 is intended primarily for targets such as ships and bunkers, with a warhead that adds a penetration effect on top of blast and fragmentation.

The Tayfun family is gradually entering service with the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF).

The photo shows Turkish defense firm Roketsan's Tayfun ballistic missile during a test in Rize, Türkiye, on Oct. 1, 2026. (IHA Photo)
The photo shows Turkish defense firm Roketsan's Tayfun ballistic missile during a test in Rize, Türkiye, on Oct. 1, 2026. (IHA Photo)

Tayfun Block 3 hit moving sea target in July

In July, Tayfun Block-3 struck a moving unmanned surface vessel (USV) in the Black Sea with a live warhead, in what Roketsan described as a first for a ballistic missile and one of only a handful of such tests worldwide. The test also marked the first integration of a seeker head onto a ballistic missile in Türkiye.

According to Roketsan's specifications, the Tayfun missile has a range of more than 280 kilometers, a length of 6.5 meters, a diameter of 610 millimeters, and a weight of 2,300 kilograms. It carries a pre-shaped fragmentation warhead, with accuracy of 10 meters or less and anti-jamming capability.

Roketsan says the system's hypersonic cruise speed makes it resilient against air defenses and that it can operate in all weather conditions, day or night. Its target types include air defense systems, command and control centers, military aircraft hangars, and strategic objectives.

All Tayfun variants can be launched from a common launch vehicle.

The Tayfun project was launched in line with the requirements of the National Defense Ministry to strengthen Türkiye's capability against strategic targets.

The latest Tayfun test from Rize-Artvin Airport adds to a series of firings from the Black Sea coast.

October 02, 2026 10:17 AM GMT+03:00
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