The TAYFUN ballistic missile developed by ROKETSAN carried out a new test launch from Rize-Artvin Airport under the coordination of the SSB.
A new test firing was carried out today for TAYFUN in Turkey's ballistic missile program. The missile was fired from Rize-Artvin Airport within the scope of the activity carried out under the coordination of ROKETSAN and the Presidency of Defense Industries.
Before the test, extensive security measures were taken in and around the airport. It was reported that the shooting was successful after the preparations were completed.
While the images of the new test were shared with the public, the missile's takeoff from Rize-Artvin Airport brought TAYFUN's development and verification activities to the agenda again.
Which TAYFUN block was used?
One of the striking points of the test is that it was not disclosed which block configuration the missile used belonged to.
While it is stated in the current statements that the test firing was completed successfully; No official information was shared regarding which of the TAYFUN Block-1, Block-2, Block-3 or Block-4 options were used. Likewise, the distance at which the shot was fired and the performance values of the missile during the test were not disclosed.
Therefore, there is not enough official data at this stage to say that the new shot is a direct TAYFUN Block-4 test.
The first tests of TAYFUN were also made in Rize.
Rize-Artvin Airport has been used before in the test history of the TAYFUN program.
The first test firing of TAYFUN, which was revealed to the public, was carried out from Rize-Artvin Airport on October 18, 2022. It was announced that the missile reached a distance of approximately 561 kilometers in this test.
In the second test launch in May 2023, TAYFUN was launched from the same region. Thus, Rize-Artvin Airport became one of the important points used for TAYFUN's flight tests.
Current technical specifications of TAYFUN
In ROKETSAN's publicly available product information, TAYFUN's current configuration is given as 6.5 meters in length, 610 millimeters in diameter and approximately 2,300 kilograms in weight.
While the range value of the system is stated as over 280 kilometers in the official product catalogue, the coordinate guidance system and jam-resistant guidance infrastructure are also among the features of the product.
There is an important distinction here: The performance values reflected to the public for different blocks of TAYFUN in the development process should not be considered the same as the information in the current basic product catalogue. Not all of the new capabilities developed especially for Block-3 and Block-4 are detailed in the publicly available technical documents.
Block-3 hit a moving naval target
One of the most important final tests in the TAYFUN program was carried out with Block-3.
In the test conducted in July 2026, TAYFUN Block-3 successfully hit a moving sea target. With the use of a seeker head in the test, the engagement ability of the missile against moving targets was demonstrated.
This test revealed that beyond the hit capability of the TAYFUN family only for fixed coordinates, new guidance and engagement technologies for moving targets are also being worked on.
Block-2 deliveries continue
While TAYFUN's development activities continue, the process of entering the previous blocks into the inventory has also begun.
The Ministry of National Defense announced that the inspection and acceptance activities of different quantities of TAYFUN Block-2 missiles were completed by the Turkish Land Forces Command in 2026. It was announced that a new Block-2 delivery was made in September.
According to ROKETSAN's statements, TAYFUN's mass production and delivery activities continue as planned.
Mass production preparations for Block-4 continue
Mass production preparations are also on the agenda for Block-4, the more advanced variant of the TAYFUN family.
ROKETSAN exhibited Block-4 for the first time at IDEF 2025 and described this version as hypersonic TAYFUN. According to the information provided by the company, Block-4 is planned to weigh over 7 tons and carry a multi-purpose warhead.
However, there is no official statement that today's Rize test belongs to Block-4. Therefore, it is necessary to wait for more technical information to directly link the new test with the mass production process of Block-4.
New test in TAYFUN program
The last firing from Rize-Artvin Airport was a new test activity showing that the development and production process of TAYFUN continues.
While it was announced that the test was completed successfully, it is not known at this stage which new capability of the missile has been confirmed, since the block used, test purpose, range and other performance data have not been disclosed. Technical statements to be made by ROKETSAN or the Presidency of Defense Industries in the coming period may more clearly reveal the place of today's shot in the TAYFUN program.
TAYFUN fired again from Rize
With the new test, flight activities for TAYFUN at Rize-Artvin Airport are back on the agenda, while development and verification studies of different configurations of the missile continue. While Block-2 is in the inventory process, Block-3 has completed its moving target testing and Block-4 is approaching the mass production stage, showing that the development process in the TAYFUN family is progressing from more than one branch.
