Turkey Wants Ballistic Missile Test Range, Spaceport in Somalia
- Ankara looking to deepen relations with Horn of Africa nation
- Turkey is making inroads in Africa as China investment slows
This article is for subscribers only.
Turkey has held talks with Somalia about setting up a site to test-fire missiles and space rockets from the Horn of Africa country, according to people familiar with the matter.
Ankara’s ballistic-missile program requires long-range testing and Somalia’s location on the eastern tip of mainland Africa is ideal for firing toward the Indian Ocean, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive subjects. The country is close to the equator, making it a suitable site for a space port, they said. Testing near the equator can also help boost the range and efficiency of space rockets.