It was recently reported that Ukraine is purchasing 12 M270 multiple launch rocket systems, 2,524 227-mm M26 rockets for them, 47,000 203-mm M509A1 cluster artillery shells, as well as 70 M39 ATACMS ballistic missiles from Turkiye.
Given that Turkiye has agreed to sell Ukraine ballistic missiles—albeit American-made ones from its own stockpiles—it is worth considering what other types of ballistic missiles it might sell. After all, Turkiye is one of the few countries in the world capable of manufacturing such missiles.
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Turkiye has a series of Tayfun ballistic missiles, which includes at least four variants that differ in size, range, and warhead weight. The exact specifications and capabilities of each variant are unknown, but their maximum ranges are known to vary from 560 km to 1,500 km, while warhead weights range from 500 kg to 1 ton.
However, Turkiye is developing them solely for its own use. Furthermore, exporting Tayfun variants with such ranges and warhead weights is likely impossible due to restrictions on missile technology proliferation.
Another series of Turkish ballistic missiles is the J-600T Yıldırım, which was developed through cooperation with China in the 1990s. Variants of this missile have stated ranges of 150, 300, 900, and 2,000 km.
However, the likelihood of these missiles being exported to Ukraine remains quite low for many reasons, including the small number of J-600T Yıldırım missiles and launchers currently operated by Turkiye.
When it comes to the ballistic missile most likely to be adopted by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Khan stands out as the most likely option. It is the export version of the Bora ballistic missile. It has a maximum range of 280 km and a 470-kg warhead containing pre-formed fragments.
In fact, it is similar to the American ATACMS, but features a warhead twice as large while maintaining an accuracy of 10 meters, thanks to the standard combination of a jam-resistant satellite navigation system and an inertial navigation system.
The Khan ballistic missiles are launched using Roketsan's Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher, a versatile multi-caliber system that was already spotted in Ukraine in 2023 in service with the 49th Artillery Brigade.
It is unknown whether it is still available in Ukraine or whether it is currently in use. However, the Armed Forces of Ukraine already have a unit with experience operating the MBRL and may already possess the launcher itself, which should facilitate the start of operations if Khan missiles and additional launchers are ordered.
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