Türkiye showcased a major milestone in its defense capabilities at the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025).

Gokhan Missile Makes Landmark Debut at IDEF 2025

For the first time, the country introduced Gokhan, its first indigenous ramjet-powered air-to-air missile, developed under the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye (TUBITAK). The Ministry of National Defense organized the exhibition at the Istanbul Fair Center, and the Presidency of Defense Industries supported it, where officials displayed the missile.

This missile is not just a prototype — it’s a full-scale model, offering a clear view of Türkiye’s advancing aerospace technologies. Gokhan stands as an important addition to the country’s growing inventory of domestic weapons systems. It follows the earlier success of BOZDOGAN and GOKDOGAN, two previous air-to-air missile systems developed within Türkiye.

At the unveiling, officials signed agreements to enhance the missile’s range and capability. These include two new contracts that aim to increase Gokhan’s performance beyond the original plans set when the project began in 2021. These agreements reflect a national goal to strengthen long-range strike capabilities in the air combat domain.

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Dual Ramjet Strategy and Gokhan’s Role in Defense Growth

The Gokhan missile operates using liquid-fuel ramjet propulsion, a high-speed engine type that allows it to maintain speed over long distances. Unlike traditional rocket engines, ramjets take in surrounding air to mix with fuel, offering more efficient and longer-lasting thrust. This technology enables Gokhan to fly at Mach 2 and above, making it capable of fast, flexible, and extended missions in the sky.

Türkiye’s development of this missile is part of a broader strategy to build both liquid and solid-fuel ramjet systems. While Gokhan uses the liquid-fuel method, another project called Gokbora, led by another defense organization, focuses on solid-fuel ramjets. Together, these efforts give Türkiye an edge in the development of various propulsion technologies for different combat needs.

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These advancements will boost the performance of Türkiye’s air platforms, including unmanned combat aircraft and newly developed fighter jets. With the new ramjet systems, these platforms can carry missiles that go farther and faster, increasing their chances of success in air-to-air engagements.

Gokhan Missile Packed with Advanced Technical Features

The Gokhan missile is not only powerful but also smart and adaptable. It is designed to operate effectively in complex air combat situations. One of its key features is a bi-directional data link system, allowing the missile to receive and send information during flight. This makes it possible to change targets or update mission commands after the missile has been launched.

Gokhan also uses active thrust control, which helps manage speed during the flight. This means it can slow down or speed up depending on the mission needs, offering better control over the missile’s movement. In addition, the missile uses precise mid-course speed control, ensuring stable and accurate flight paths towards targets.

A guidance system that includes an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and Global Positioning System (GPS) guides the missile. These components deliver accurate navigation, even in environments with electronic jamming, and ensure a high level of mission success. Engineers in Türkiye developed its warhead and internal design entirely, focusing on lightweight construction and compact systems. This helps the missile stay agile while carrying powerful components.

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Gokhan’s enhanced interceptor awareness and situational understanding features allow it to respond to unexpected threats or shifts in the airspace. With these smart systems in place, Gokhan can better track and hit fast-moving enemy aircraft, even at high altitudes and long distances.

All of these technologies make the Gokhan missile a unique and high-performance solution for Türkiye’s defense needs. From advanced propulsion to intelligent navigation and flexible targeting, Gokhan represents a new phase in the country’s homegrown defense technology journey.