In wake of Israel-Iran clashes, Türkiye accelerates missile development

In response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran and mounting concerns over regional stability, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ordered a significant increase in the production of medium and long-range missiles.

The ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iran, now entering their fifth consecutive day, have stoked fears of a broader war engulfing the Middle East’s oil-rich nations. Against this volatile backdrop, Ankara seeks to bolster its defense capabilities as part of a broader regional arms race, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“We are making production plans to bring our medium and long-range missile stocks to a level of deterrence in light of recent developments,” Erdogan declared following a cabinet meeting on June 16 evening.

Türkiye’s ambition to establish an independent defense sector is longstanding, with substantial progress in manufacturing warplanes, tanks, drones, frigates, and now missiles for both domestic use and export. Recent months have seen increased defence spending across Europe and beyond, spurred by Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and uncertainty regarding US support, creating new opportunities for Ankara’s defence industry. In March, Türkiye’s Baykar signed a partnership deal with Italy’s Leonardo SpA to co-develop drone technologies.

Erdogan highlighted the heightened risks in the Middle East, asserting, “The Middle East is facing an increased level of threat and hostility posed by Israel’s aggression,” and warned that “every step taken in our region without considering the facts invites other disasters to occur in the future.”

Relations between Türkiye and Israel have been strained since the Gaza conflict erupted in October 2023, with Erdogan sharply criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the military campaign’s toll on Palestinian civilians. Tensions further escalated in April after Israeli airstrikes targeted military sites in Syria, where Türkiye had plans to establish bases. US mediation led to a mechanism aimed at preventing further confrontations in Syria, but Ankara remains wary of Israel’s military actions.

Devlet Bahceli, leader of the nationalist MHP party, described recent Israeli operations in Iran as “a sinister message given to Türkiye.”

Expressing optimism about Türkiye’s defense capabilities, Erdogan stated, “Hopefully, in a process that is not very long, we will have reached a defence capacity that no one would dare to even challenge us.”

As part of its ballistic missile program, Ankara has been advancing the range of its domestically-produced Tayfun missiles, which currently reach approximately 560 kilometers (350 miles). Plans also include establishing a test site in Somalia for long-range missile and space rocket trials, underscoring Türkiye’s expanding strategic ambitions in missile technology.

By Vafa Guliyeva