Turkey has been in discussions with Somalia about establishing a missile and space rocket test site in the Horn of Africa, sources familiar with the talks told Bloomberg.
Turkey’s ballistic missile program requires long-range testing, and Somalia’s strategic position on Africa’s eastern tip offers an ideal location for launches over the Indian Ocean, said the sources, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic.
Somalia’s proximity to the equator also makes it a prime candidate for a spaceport, as launches from near the equator can increase the range and efficiency of space rockets.
Turkey has long sought to join the global space race, typically dominated by major powers, and has been preparing for a rocket launch for several years.
This launch could potentially take place from Somalia, sources say, adding that Turkish officials are optimistic Somalia will approve the request. Turkey’s defence ministry declined to comment on the matter.
Hussein Sheikh-Ali, the national security adviser to Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, also declined to comment by phone. Abdi Ahmed Koshin, chairman of Somalia’s parliamentary sub-committee on defence, said he was unaware of any such agreement with Turkey.
Turkey has been steadily working to extend the range of its domestically-produced Tayfun missiles, which President Erdogan revealed in 2022 had a range of about 560 kilometres (350 miles). A potential missile launch site in Somalia would eliminate the risks associated with debris falling over residential areas or neighbouring countries.
Turkey is one of the few foreign nations deepening ties with Somalia as the country seeks to rebuild after years of conflict. Over the past decade, Turkey has increased its presence through defence cooperation, infrastructure projects, and plans for hydrocarbon exploration. It’s also involved in mediating between Somalia’s government and Somaliland, a semi-autonomous region.
