Turkish president visits Roketsan’s new production facilities in Ankara

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday officially opened new production facilities of defense contractor Roketsan in the Lalahan area of the capital Ankara. Following the inauguration ceremony, the president toured the facilities, where he was briefed on ongoing projects and production activities. The visit underscored Ankara’s commitment to expanding domestic defense manufacturing capabilities amid rising global demand for advanced weaponry.

President signs hypersonic missile

During his tour, Erdogan personally signed his name onto a Tayfun Block-4 hypersonic ballistic missile. The missile, which reaches hypersonic speeds, measures 10 meters (33 feet) in length and weighs 7,200 kilograms (15,873 pounds). The Tayfun series represents a key pillar of Türkiye’s growing long-range strike capabilities, designed to counter emerging threats in the region.

Strategic message amid regional war

The presidential visit comes as Türkiye continues to strengthen its defense industry in the face of regional instability, including the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran. While Ankara has consistently called for a ceasefire and diplomatic resolution, it has also accelerated its own defense production to ensure self-sufficiency. Roketsan has become a major exporter of missile systems and ammunition to nearly 50 countries, and the expansion of its production capacity signals Türkiye’s intent to become a leading global defense supplier. Erdogan’s direct engagement with the Tayfun missile program also sends a clear message of deterrence at a time when the Middle East remains on the brink of wider conflict.