At the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey showcased its most advanced conventional weapon yet — the Gazap (Wrath) bomb. Weighing 970 kilograms, Gazap is described as one of the deadliest non-nuclear bombs ever developed.
Key Features
- Thermobaric Power: Generates heat up to 3,000°C, enough to melt steel and concrete.
- Fragmentation Strength: Releases 10,000 controlled particles across a 1 km radius, creating a massive kill zone.
- Impact: Produces shockwaves with a smoke cloud spanning 160 metres.
Compatibility
Gazap can be deployed by F-16 and F-4 Phantom aircraft, with future upgrades enabling drone deployment, expanding its tactical versatility.
NEB-2 Ghost
Alongside Gazap, Turkey also unveiled the NEB-2 Ghost, a deep-penetration bomb capable of drilling through 7 metres of ultra-strong concrete before detonation, surpassing the capacity of U.S.-made bunker-busters.
Strategic Significance
The unveiling underscores Turkey’s ambition to strengthen its domestic defence industry and reduce reliance on imports. Defence experts describe Gazap as a weapon just short of nuclear capability, pushing the limits of conventional warfare.
Legal & Global Concerns
Although thermobaric bombs are not banned under international law, their devastating humanitarian impact has sparked global debate, especially regarding civilian safety in conflict zones.
