Turkey on Tuesday presented a new long-range ballistic missile, marking a further step in its effort to expand domestic defence capabilities and strengthen its position as an arms supplier within and beyond NATO.

The missile, named Yildirimhan, was introduced at the Saha defence exhibition in Istanbul before an audience of senior military officials. Defence Minister Yasar Guler attended the unveiling alongside Turkish commanders, as the country continues to promote its growing defence industry on an international stage.

According to data shared by the Defence Ministry and reports in Turkish media, the missile has a range of 6,000 kilometres. From Turkish territory, that reach would extend across much of Europe, large parts of Asia and significant areas of Africa.

The system is powered by liquid nitrogen tetroxide and is equipped with four engines, reflecting a level of technical development that officials say aligns with NATO standards.

The unveiling comes at a time when Ankara is placing increasing emphasis on defence exports as part of its broader foreign policy approach. Turkish manufacturers have gained attention in recent years for producing weapons systems that are often priced below those of established competitors, attracting buyers from a range of countries.

Speaking at the event, Guler pointed to what he described as the dual advantage of Turkish-made systems, combining precision-guided capability with comparatively lower cost. He said such technologies are designed to enhance the operational strength of allied forces while remaining economically viable.

“In this era where economic cost has become an asymmetric weapon, Turkey offers its allies not only weapon systems but also technology and a sustainable security economy,” he said.

Turkey’s push to develop and showcase advanced weapons systems also reflects its own security considerations. While it has not been directly affected by the conflict in neighbouring Iran, NATO forces recently intercepted four ballistic missiles that were heading towards Turkish territory.

The country remains geographically and politically close to multiple areas of ongoing tension, including conflicts and post-war dynamics in Ukraine and Syria. Against that backdrop, officials have signalled the importance of strengthening domestic defence capacity alongside export ambitions.

The Yildirimhan missile’s debut underscores that balance, combining internal security priorities with a continued drive to expand Turkey’s presence in the global defence market.