Turkiye’s first indigenous beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, Gökdoğan, successfully struck a target drone with pinpoint accuracy during a test firing.
Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır shared footage of the missile test on his social media account, stating, “Our country’s first indigenous beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, Gökdoğan, directly hit the target aircraft during the test firing. A National Technology Initiative for a fully independent Turkiye in critical technologies.” The date stamp in the footage indicated that the test was conducted on 10 February 2025.
Secretary of Defence Industries (SSB) Haluk Görgün also retweeted Kacır’s post, emphasising the importance of air-to-air missile capability for air superiority and deterrence. Görgün stated, “Gökdoğan is a strategic step that strengthens our national capabilities in this field. I congratulate all our institutions, engineers, and industry partners, especially TÜBİTAK SAGE, for this achievement. Strong R&D, strong cooperation, strong Turkiye."
Kacır’s post did not specify what aspect of the missile was being tested. This omission is notable; this new test might measure a new capability. In a speech marking the 61st anniversary of TÜBİTAK in July 2024, the minister had already announced that Turkiye’s first indigenous air-to-air missiles had entered service. At the time, Kacır stated, “We have integrated Turkiye’s first within-visual-range air-to-air missile, BOZDOĞAN, and first beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, GÖKDOĞAN, into our inventory.”
The expected statement regarding the test came from TUBITAK Sage Institute Director Kemal Topalömer. Topalömer included the content of the test in his statement on social media.
Director Topalömer stated that the test involved high acceleration and high off-boresight engagement which resulted in hit to kill. High-off boresight engagement capability is important as the target will not always be ideally positioned from the missile. Manoeuvres of the target or the pre-launch position of the launching aircraft are the primary factors contributing to the engagement aspect.
