Turkey’s TAYFUN Block 3: The Ballistic Missile That Can Strike Moving Ships
Turkey begins serial production of its TAYFUN Block 3 missile, designed to hit moving ships.
Turkey has begun serial production of its TAYFUN Block 3 ballistic missile, a variant designed to strike moving ships and hardened land targets. The missile is expected to enter service with the Turkish Armed Forces in 2026, according to officials.
ROKETSAN General Manager Murat İkinci confirmed the milestone during an interview at ADEX 2026 in Azerbaijan. He stated that both Block 2 and Block 3 of the TAYFUN missile family had entered serial production, marking a significant step in Turkey’s domestic defence development. İkinci described the missile’s terminal seeker technology as a breakthrough, noting it was a first for Turkey and one of only a few such systems globally.
Turkey Launches Production of Anti-Ship Ballistic Missile: tayfun block 3
The TAYFUN Block 3 is specifically engineered for anti-ship operations, featuring a terminal seeker that allows it to adjust its trajectory during the final phase of flight to engage moving targets. Earlier versions relied on coordinate-based guidance, limiting their effectiveness against non-stationary objectives.
In a July 2026 test conducted in the Black Sea, the missile successfully struck an unmanned surface vessel approximately seven metres long. Presidency of Defence Industries President Haluk Görgün praised the test, stating the missile hit its target with pinpoint accuracy. However, critical details—such as the missile’s range, the target’s speed, and flight time—remain classified, making independent assessments of its performance against defended warships impossible.
The missile’s high terminal speed is intended to reduce the window for countermeasures, though specifics about its seeker, manoeuvrability, and resistance to electronic warfare have not been disclosed. The system was developed to bolster Turkey’s coastal defence capabilities, with a larger warhead and enhanced terminal velocity compared to previous versions.
Capabilities and Testing
The TAYFUN family now includes three versions in serial production: Block 1, Block 2, and Block 3. A larger Block 4, featuring a multi-purpose warhead with penetration capabilities, is also under development. While Blocks 1-3 share a common launch vehicle, Block 4 will use a podless single-carriage layout due to its increased size.
Turkey has not released the exact range of the TAYFUN missiles, though Block 1 has demonstrated a reach exceeding that of the BORA missile. Blocks 2, 3, and 4 are expected to have longer ranges or more powerful propulsion systems, further expanding Turkey’s strategic strike capabilities.
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