Wednesday August 6, 2025
Turkish soldiers observe the launch of a long-range missile bearing the national flag during a test in an undisclosed desert location. (Photo: Turkish Defense Ministry/Handout)
Mogadishu (HOL) — Turkey is moving ahead with plans to build a large-scale spaceport on Somalia’s coast that will support satellite launches and serve as a testing site for long-range ballistic missiles, expanding Ankara’s strategic and military presence in the Horn of Africa.
The facility, overseen by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA), will occupy a 900-square-kilometre area along the Indian Ocean and is being promoted as Africa’s first orbital launch complex. Turkish officials say the project will give Turkey independent access to space and provide a safe location for missile testing far from populated areas.
The initiative builds on a Defence and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement signed by the two countries last year. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced the project later that year, calling it a “historic partnership” and emphasizing its potential to create jobs and generate revenue for Somalia.
“I believe this launchpad’s importance to Somalia surpasses even the billions of dollars and opportunities it will bring,” President Mohamud said at the time.
Beyond its civilian uses, Turkish media report that the spaceport will allow testing of advanced ballistic missile systems that exceed the capabilities of Turkey’s current testing range in Sinop, located on the Black Sea. Missiles with ranges over 1,000 kilometres will be launched over the Indian Ocean to avoid civilian or commercial airspace.
Turkey’s current longest-range missile, the Tayfun, has been tested at ranges up to 561 kilometres. A hypersonic variant, known as the Tayfun Block 4, was recently unveiled and is expected to be tested at the Somalia site. The Block 4 reportedly reaches speeds over Mach 5 and has yet to undergo open-water testing.
Turkish defence analysts say the spaceport will be key to Ankara’s broader ambitions to develop missile systems with ranges of up to 3,000 kilometres, reducing the country’s reliance on foreign test facilities.
Somalia’s location near the equator provides significant technical advantages for space launches, requiring less fuel and enabling greater payload capacity. The site’s open-ocean proximity also makes it an ideal location for high-risk launches and military tests.
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with the Turkish government launching a formal bidding process in the coming weeks. Officials estimate the project could take up to two years to complete.
While Turkish authorities have placed the initial cost at $350 million, earlier estimates from Turkish media suggested the project could reach $6 billion, depending on future expansion. The Turkish Space Agency’s annual budget is roughly $40 million, leading analysts to expect that foreign investment will be required. The United Arab Emirates has been mentioned as a potential partner, though no agreement has been confirmed.
The project reinforces Turkey’s growing political and military role in Somalia, a relationship that began in 2011 with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Mogadishu. Turkey has since become one of Somalia’s most influential allies, providing humanitarian aid, building infrastructure, and training security forces.
In 2017, Turkey opened Camp TURKSOM, its largest overseas military base, where it has trained thousands of Somali troops. A new bilateral agreement signed in February 2025 allows Turkish naval forces to patrol Somali waters for 10 years to combat piracy and protect offshore resources. Turkish energy vessels have already begun seismic surveys along the Somali coast.
Despite the project’s scale, Somali authorities have released limited public information. Some lawmakers have raised concerns about transparency, noting that no technical specifications or environmental assessments have been published. The government has also not responded to calls for public consultation.
No neighbouring countries have issued formal objections to the missile testing plans, but analysts warn that the site’s dual-use nature could raise concerns in an increasingly competitive regional environment. Turkey is among several foreign powers alongside China, Russia, the UAE and Egypt seeking strategic footholds in East Africa.
The spaceport project is part of Turkey’s 2022–2030 National Space Program, which includes goals for independent satellite launches, human spaceflight, lunar missions, and the development of domestic launch vehicles.
If completed, the Somalia facility would allow Turkey to offer commercial launch services to international clients, further positioning itself as a regional space and defence power.