时值地区动荡之际，不断加强国防能力，土耳其首次展示国产洲际弹道导弹

【环球时报记者 郭媛丹 环球时报驻埃及特派记者 黄培昭】Turkey showcased its first domestically produced intercontinental ballistic missile on the 5th, with a range of approximately 6,000 kilometers and a flight speed of 9 to 25 Mach. The Turkish Daily Sabah described it as "one of the most advanced long-range missile systems" in the country, noting that its debut coincides with Turkey's ongoing efforts to enhance its defense industrial capabilities. The Turkish defense website TurDef stated that the development of the latest missile can also be seen as a response to the tense situation in the Middle East.

The 5th Turkish International Defense and Aerospace Industry Exhibition is being held in Istanbul from the 5th to the 9th. The intercontinental ballistic missile, named "Lightning Khan," was unveiled on the 5th. This missile was developed by the Turkish Ministry of Defense's research center and utilizes a liquid propulsion system, equipped with four rocket engines.

The UAE's National reported, citing Turkish defense news agencies, that "Turkey has joined the ranks of a few countries capable of producing intercontinental ballistic missiles," with a range of 6,000 kilometers meaning it can strike targets in most of Europe, much of Asia, and parts of Africa from Turkey. TRT World stated that this represents a "significant leap" in Turkey's long-range strike capabilities.

Military expert Song Zhongping told Global Times reporters on the 6th that Turkey's vigorous development of ballistic missiles and even hypersonic missiles, as well as its commitment to developing intercontinental hypersonic missiles, is primarily aimed at seeking great power status and aspiring to become a country with significant global influence. "Whether this missile can truly achieve the impressive range of 6,000 kilometers and whether it is genuinely a hypersonic missile still needs time to prove."

In recent years, Turkey has continuously strengthened its defense capabilities, having previously launched several missile systems, including the "Typhoon Block-4" hypersonic missile that debuted last year. The escalating turmoil in the Middle East has also prompted Turkey to accelerate the development of its military capabilities. Al Jazeera believes that the missile's unveiling comes at a time of intense upheaval in the Middle East security landscape, and "strengthening deterrence" is a clear signal released by Ankara.

As early as June of last year, due to concerns over the conflict between Iran and Israel, Turkish President Erdogan ordered an increase in the production of medium- and long-range missiles, aiming to achieve "a defense capability that no one dares to challenge." The Associated Press quoted Turkish analysts at the time as saying that Turkey is gradually moving towards the core of the current Middle Eastern game: an arms race escalation. In April of this year, the Turkish Foreign Minister warned that, following Iran, Turkey could become Israel's "next enemy." Turkish security analyst Arda Mevlutoglu believes that due to the lack of mutual understanding between Turkey and Israel, Turkey has to take preventive measures in diplomatic, strategic, and military fields.

The U.S. Military Observer magazine stated that the development of Turkey's long-range ballistic missiles has drawn attention and highlights its key role in maintaining NATO's broader security interests in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The unveiling of the latest missile significantly increases the possibility of Turkey providing this missile or its derivative short-range missiles to other NATO member countries. However, the article mentioned that the "Lightning Khan" missile is not particularly advanced, as the liquid fuel composite materials used are expected to lead to prolonged launch times, making it vulnerable to attacks.

"Arms sales are an important consideration for Turkey's development of its military industry, and Turkey is currently planning to export weapons and equipment to countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt." Song Zhongping stated that Turkey's actions are multifaceted: they can achieve self-sufficiency in weaponry while also leveraging military industrial strength to expand the global arms sales market and enhance its international influence.