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ISLAMABAD: Turkey unveiled its first intercontinental ballistic missile as the country&rsquo;s defense industry showcased an extensive range of next-generation missiles, loitering munitions, and naval systems on the opening day of the SAHA 2026 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition on Tuesday, Turkish media reported. The missile, named Yildirimhan, has a reported range of about 6,000 kilometers and a speed between Mach 9 and Mach 25, Daily Sabah said, citing Anadolu Agency. Developed by the defense ministry&rsquo;s research and development center, the system was publicly displayed for the first time at the Istanbul Expo Center. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2051595256739885383&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=a23dda0325938b3ad6c21cea4c55302a2773fddf&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 897px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2051595256739885383"></iframe></div></div> According to TRT World, the Yildirimhan uses liquid nitrogen tetroxide as fuel and is powered by four rocket engines. It is said to be one of Turkiye&rsquo;s most advanced long-range missile platforms to date. Alongside the missile, drone maker Baykar introduced three new products: the K2 kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle, Mizrak, and Sivrisinek loitering munitions, Anadolu Agency reported. The K2 is designed for swarm operations in contested environments and can carry more than 200 kilograms of payload, while Mizrak is said to have a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. Sivrisinek combines reconnaissance and strike capabilities for tactical missions. Baykar also displayed its existing platforms, including the Bayraktar TB2, TB3, Akinci, and Kizilelma, as well as the Kemankes mini-cruise missiles, according to the report. Kayaci Defense unveiled Cellat, a kamikaze unmanned surface vessel capable of speeds of nearly 50 knots and a range of 450 nautical miles, Anadolu Agency said. Meanwhile, Aselsan introduced Kilic, described as Turkiye&rsquo;s first kamikaze autonomous underwater vehicle, and Tufan, a kamikaze unmanned surface vehicle capable of swarm operations and strike missions, the agency reported. In the land systems segment, BMC unveiled the Pamir 4x4 personnel carrier, capable of speeds up to 120 kilometers per hour and a range of 600 kilometers, the report said. In the field of space technology, Spacrol introduced Sacstor, a satellite attitude simulator designed to replicate space-like conditions for CubeSats and other platforms. Separately, officials at the exhibition said Turkiye aims to rank among the world&rsquo;s top 10 defense and aerospace exporters as it expands capabilities in missiles, unmanned systems, and space technologies.

Turkish defense firms unveil cutting-edge missiles, kamikaze drones, sea systems at SAHA 2026 in Istanbul on May 5, 2026 (Photo: Anadolu Agency)

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Country’s defense industry showcases wide range of next-generation missiles, loitering munitions, and naval systems on the opening day of the SAHA 2026 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition.

Articles tagged with "Defense expo"

Turkiye’s first intercontinental ballistic missile takes center stage at defense expo

Turkiye’s first intercontinental ballistic missile takes center stage at defense expo