Türkiye debuts its most powerful non-nuclear aerial bomb
GAZAP and HAYALET aircraft bombs developed by the Ministry of National Defense R&D center are showcased for the first time at the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025), Istanbul, Türkiye, July 27, 2025. (AA Photo)


Türkiye presented its most powerful conventional aircraft bomb, named "GAZAP," featuring a warhead weighing 970 kilograms (2,000 pounds), at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul.

The bomb, designed by Türkiye's National Defense Ministry's research and development (R&D) center, disperses 10.16 fragment explosions per meter (3.2 feet) instead of 3 meters (9.8 feet), an official told Anadolu Agency (AA).

With its blast effect, the bomb has a very destructive capability, which can be dropped from an F-16 fighter jet.

"The R&D center has modified the explosive and filler design," the official said. "Qualification and certification processes are complete and ready for use."

Providing information on a separate bomb, NEB-2 Ghost ("HAYALET"), also weighing 970 kilograms, the official noted that it is the "best bunker-buster in the field."

"Normally, in nuclear power plants, U.S.-made missiles penetrate 2.4 meters (7.8 feet) of C35 (standard concrete). NEB-2 penetrates 7 meters of C50 (three times stronger concrete than in nuclear power plants)," the official also said.

The bunker-buster bomb can also be dropped from an F-16 fighter jet.

As part of its aircraft test, the NEB-2 bomb was dropped onto an island and penetrated 90 meters (295 feet), causing landslides, gas leaks and rock destruction on the island with a diameter of 160 meters, the official explained.

"The explosion, which normally takes 25 milliseconds (ms), was timed to 240 ms, making it more destructive," the official added.