Turkey’s New Air-to-Air Missile Hits Target

Turkey’s Bozdogan air-to-air missile successfully hit the target after being fired from a jet for the first time.

"Turkey has become one of the few countries to own air-to-air missile technology. Our air-to-air in-sight missile Bozdogan, developed by our young technicians and engineers in the Goktug project, hit the target at the first shot," President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan tweeted today.

The leader shared a video showing the first shot of Bozdogan within-visual-range air-to-air missile (WVRAAM). The missile hit a Simsek high-speed target drone manufactured by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

Goktug project aims to develop two variants of air-to-air missiles that are to be launched from F-16s as well as future Turkish indigenous Hurjets and stealthy TF-Xs. The project is run by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey's (TUBITAK) Defense Industries Research and Development Institute (SAGE).

These missiles are going to be Turkey's first indigenous air-to-air missiles. SAGE developed Gokdogan as short-range, high maneuverability, infra-red seeker, and Bozdogan as a long-range, active radar seeker missile.

Following their introduction at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) in May 2017, both missiles underwent ballistic launches from the ground. These tests measured the rockets' engine performance, without guidance and the ability to destroy targets. The tests were successfully completed in the Black Sea province of Sinop in northern Turkey.