Overview
- Turkey’s defense research center showed the Yıldırımhan at the SAHA 2026 expo in Istanbul with claims of a 6,000 km range, a 3,000 kg warhead, and speeds near Mach 25.
- An AI-generated promo video used at the event appeared to depict strikes on targets in the United States, drawing criticism over the message and the math.
- Following the backlash, Turkish officials said a fully operational prototype has not been built or test‑fired.
- The defense ministry said component lab tests have finished and field trials are in progress, leaving the headline performance claims unverified.
- Analysts questioned the feasibility and noted Turkey’s longest tested missile, the Tayfun, has reached about 600 km, far short of Yıldırımhan’s stated range.