Turkey intends to construct a spaceport in Somalia for the purpose of testing rockets and missiles.
Turkey is set to construct a spaceport in Somalia, marking Africa's first space launch facility. The 900-square-kilometer area along the Indian Ocean coast will host this large-scale facility, aiming to serve dual purposes: launching civilian satellites and testing long-range ballistic missiles with ranges up to 3,000 kilometers[1][3][4].
The spaceport, overseen by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA), is positioned to provide Turkey independent access to space and a strategic position outside NATO's operational area, granting it political flexibility in space and military operations[1][4][5].
The initiative builds on a Defence and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement signed between Turkey and Somalia in 2024. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud emphasized the partnership’s historic significance, highlighting that the project will create jobs, stimulate Somalia’s economy, and develop local aerospace expertise through technology transfer and training programs[1][3][5].
The spaceport will enable testing of advanced ballistic missiles (e.g., Tayfun and Cenk systems) over ranges exceeding 1,000 km across the Indian Ocean to avoid civilian airspace[1][4][5]. It will also support civilian satellite launches, furthering Turkey’s ambitious space goals, including a hard Moon landing by 2028 and developing a national Global Navigation Satellite System comparable to GPS[5].
Moreover, the spaceport will offer commercial launch services to international clients, enhancing Turkey’s regional space and defense stature[3]. The strategic position near the equator will allow launches with less fuel and greater payload capacity[2].
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced plans to increase the stock of 800-kilometer missiles and accelerate the development of 2,000-kilometer missiles[6]. By establishing the Somali spaceport, Turkey aims to position itself as a significant player in the global space race[7].
The estimated costs for the spaceport's construction across multiple phases are $350 million, although earlier Turkish media reported figures near $6 billion[4]. Given TUA’s annual budget of about $40 million, analysts expect outside financial support, with the United Arab Emirates mentioned as a potential partner, although no formal agreement exists yet[4].
The spaceport's construction is expected to commence following a bidding process in the coming weeks[8]. With the facility's projected completion within two years, Turkey is poised to make significant strides in its space and defense capabilities, while simultaneously offering economic and technological benefits for Somalia[1][3][5].
[1] Anadolu Agency (2024). Turkey and Somalia sign defence and economic cooperation agreement. [online] Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/turkey-and-somalia-sign-defence-and-economic-cooperation-agreement/2277514
[2] SpaceNews (2024). Turkey's Somali Spaceport Aims for Equatorial Launch Advantage. [online] Available at: https://spacenews.com/turkeys-somali-spaceport-aims-for-equatorial-launch-advantage/
[3] Defense News (2024). Turkey's Space Program Aims for Commercial Launch Services. [online] Available at: https://www.defensenews.com/space/2024/12/21/turkeys-space-program-aims-for-commercial-launch-services/
[4] Reuters (2024). Turkey plans $350 million spaceport in Somalia. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/turkey-plans-350-million-spaceport-somalia-2024-12-21/
[5] Al Jazeera (2024). Turkey's space ambitions: Somalia's new spaceport. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/21/turkeys-space-ambitions-somalias-new-spaceport
[6] Daily Sabah (2024). Turkey to boost production of long-range missiles. [online] Available at: https://www.dailysabah.com/defense/2024/12/21/turkey-to-boost-production-of-long-range-missiles
[7] The Diplomat (2024). Turkey's Space Ambitions in Africa. [online] Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2024/12/turkeys-space-ambitions-in-africa
[8] Turkish Defence News (2024). Turkey to start construction of Somali spaceport following bidding process. [online] Available at: https://www.turkishdefencenews.com/2024/12/turkey-to-start-construction-of-somali-spaceport-following-bidding-process/
- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, accompanied by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA), is overseeing the construction of a spaceport in Turkiye's strategic partnership with Somalia, aimed at positioning Turkey as a significant player in the global space race.
- The spaceport, located along the Indian Ocean coast, is planned to serve multiple purposes, including the launch of civilian satellites, testing long-range ballistic missiles, and stimulating Somalia's economy by creating jobs and developing local aerospace expertise.
- Apart from enhancing Turkey’s regional space and defense stature through commercial launch services, the Indian Ocean-based spaceport will support Turkey's ambitious space goals, such as a hard Moon landing by 2028 and developing a national Global Navigation Satellite System comparable to GPS, while offering economic and technological benefits for Somalia.
