ballistic missiles allow hitting targets behind the front lines, which makes critical infrastructure, as well as civilian targets, much more vulnerable, explains o Ian Williamsdeputy director of the missile defense program of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), speaking about testing a new Turkish ballistic missile called “Typhoon“.

The missile, which was launched on October 18 over the Black Sea, hit a target 561 km from the coast, almost doubling the range of the existing missile, according to Bloomberg. Turkish rocket Bora. “These types of (ballistic) missiles have begun to proliferate in the region and around the world,” the report said. “When you think about possible scenarios, especially regarding Russia and Iran, it makes sense that Turkey would use similar capabilities to deter potential adversaries who have such systems,” he says, as he believes that the biggest factor leading to to the production of Tayfun, was her relationship Turkey With Iran.

Williams, however, emphasizes that he does not believe that the testing of the new weapons system alone will turn the current situation in Anata upside down. Mediterranean and the existing balance of power. “Any advantage on the battlefield depends on the number of such or similar weapons systems that Turkey intends to deploy. Equally important is how well it can integrate them into its existing military doctrine and develop the necessary intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities to use them effectively in a conflict, ”Williams continues, pointing to Russia as an example of such a failed integration of missile systems. . “As we see in the example of Russia in Ukraine, having a large number of missiles does not automatically give it a strategic advantage,” he comments.

What impressed me was the absolute secrecy with which Turkey produced the ballistic missile. “Real test flights are hard to keep secret, especially when your country is in a high-traffic area like Turkey,” Williams says. “However, current technology allows engineers to do most of the planning through simulation and computer simulation, making it easier to create new secret weapons,” he says of Typhoon’s sudden revelation.

Finally, Williams spoke about the international framework governing the production of missile systems, and also mentioned whether the Turkish defense industry will be able to export Tayfun in the future, as it already does Bayraktar drones with great success. “Turkey is a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). This regime requires its members to refrain from exporting ballistic missiles capable of carrying a 500kg warhead over 300km,” explains Williams. “However, it does not prohibit domestic production and ownership of such weapons systems. As long as Turkey does not export them to other countries, Tayfun missiles do not violate the MTCR.”