ROKETSAN CEO Murat İkinci provided updates on the development of the GÖKBORA ramjet-powered BVRAAM to be integrated on fighter jets and unmanned platforms.
Murat İkinci, in his interview with Habertürk TV, provided an overview of the capabilities, ongoing works, and the timeline for readiness for the ramjet-powered GÖKBORA beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).
İkinci stated that GÖKBORA is being developed as a next-generation missile featuring advanced data link capability, propulsion architecture with solid fuel ramjet, sensors, and warhead technologies. The missile is intended for integration across a wide range of platforms, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, KAAN fifth-generation fighter, KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft, AKINCI, and potentially ANKA-III.
Adding that ASELSAN and ROKETSAN are working closely on the integration of GÖKBORA with the MURAD AESA radar(s), İkinci gave the estimated time for GÖKBORA to be ready as two years, with a possible offset of half a year.
With a maximum range of approximately 100 NM (185km), AESA RF seeker, and compilance with internal weapon bays thanks to folding fins, GÖKBORA is expected to form the extra-long range leg of the Turkish Air Force alongside TÜBİTAK SAGE’s liquid fuel ramjet GÖKHAN BVRAAM.
GÖKBORA for AKINCI and Eurofighter?
The mention of AKINCI means that a booster-fitted variant might have to be developed due to AKINCI being considerably slower than all other platforms mentioned above.
Considering the severe kinematic fall-offs for rocket-powered air-to-air missiles when launched from slower aircraft, the continuous and adjustable propulsion from ramjets can allow AKINCI to engage some aircraft at considerably longer ranges as a flying SAM truck, coupled with the MURAD 100-A AESA radar.
On the other hand, the mention of Eurofighter hints at measures to make integration easier or talks with BAE Systems for GÖKBORA’s integration.
Air-to-Air Trials in 2026
Earlier in the interview, Murat İkinci stated that trials for air-to-air missiles will take place in 2026. It is not known if this refers to launch tests of GÖKBORA or other missiles.
It is known that Baykar intends to integrate ROKETSAN’s SUNGUR short-range air-defence missile on platforms starting from Bayraktar TB2 to AKINCI. SUNGUR, with a range of eight kilometres, can be mainly used against helicopters, low-flying aircraft, and UAVs.
Another possibility is the air-to-air tests of EREN high-speed loitering munition, which allows both air-to-surface and air-to-air engagement thanks to its missile-like performance and IIR seeker. The loitering munition was recently tested against a fixed sea target from AKINCI UCAV.
Author: Kaan Azman & Özgür Ekşi
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
