Turkey unveils 970-kg ‘Gazap’, its most powerful non-nuclear bomb: Should India worry?

Just days after showcasing its Tayfun hypersonic missile, Turkey has unveiled another major leap in weapons technology -- the Gazap bomb, the most powerful non-nuclear aircraft bomb Ankara has ever produced. The announcement was made at the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul, underlining Turkey’s growing ambition to position itself as a global defence powerhouse.

The 970-kilogram bomb, whose name translates to “Wrath” in Turkish, represents a significant advancement in conventional weaponry and has already raised alarm bells in security circles worldwide.

The unveiling took place at an event organized by KFA Fairs, with backing from Turkey’s Defence Industries Secretariat and the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, as reported by TRT Global and Anadolu Agency.

What makes Gazap so deadly?

At its core, Gazap is a fragmentation bomb designed to inflict maximum destruction. Unlike traditional bombs, which disperse fragments unevenly, Gazap boasts a precision-controlled fragmentation system, creating a dense kill zone.

According to Nilufer Kuzulu, who headed the research team behind the project: “Unlike its conventional counterparts, it features a fragment-based structure with 10,000 particles. These fragments disperse within a one-kilometre radius upon detonation.”

Kuzulu further explained the scale of the technological leap: “Traditional bombs of this category typically disperse around three fragments per square metre, while Gazap disperses 10.16 fragments per square metre. This makes it three times more powerful than standard MK-series bombs.”

The bomb mimics the effect of a defensive grenade, breaking apart into controlled fragments instead of random steel pieces.

Blast tests show massive impact

Military trials revealed Gazap’s devastating potential. Dropped from a bomber during testing, the weapon detonated with a massive flash, sending shockwaves across the terrain.

Officials described the blast as one of the most powerful ever seen from a non-nuclear weapon. Its thermobaric properties, which use fuel-air mixtures to create extreme overpressure and heat, enable detonation temperatures of up to 3,000°C, hot enough to melt steel and concrete.

Such heat can burn human flesh to the bone, which explains why thermobaric weapons are regarded among the deadliest conventional arms.

Gazap is compatible with F-16 fighter jets and older F-4 Phantom aircraft, both widely used in the Turkish Air Force. Officials have hinted at possible future upgrades to allow drone deployment, increasing its strategic versatility.

“The R&D center has modified the explosive and filler design. Qualification and certification processes are complete and ready for use,” an official said, as quoted by Firstpost.

Turkey also showcases NEB-2 Ghost Bunker-Buster

Alongside Gazap, Turkey revealed the NEB-2 Ghost (Hayalet), a 970-kg bunker-busting bomb designed for deep penetration strikes.

Officials claim it outperforms foreign equivalents, saying: “Normally, in nuclear power plants, US-made missiles penetrate 2.4 metres (7.8 feet) of C35 (standard concrete). NEB-2 penetrates 7 metres of C50 (three times stronger concrete than in nuclear power plants).”

Field tests showed NEB-2 boring 90 metres into the ground before triggering devastating landslides, gas leaks, and rock destruction across a 160-metre-wide area.

The bomb’s delayed detonation mechanism—extended from 25 ms to 240 ms—allows it to burrow deeper before exploding, maximizing structural damage.

Military analysts describe Gazap as one of the most powerful conventional weapons in the world, ranking just below nuclear arms in destructive capacity.

Thermobaric bombs, first conceptualised during World War II and later refined by the US in Vietnam and Russia in Ukraine, remain controversial due to their catastrophic humanitarian impact. However, international law does not explicitly ban their use against enemy positions, only against civilian areas.

Why India should be alarmed?

Turkey’s unveiling of Gazap, and its broader push for advanced weapons, should raise concerns for India, primarily because of Ankara’s growing strategic and military alignment with Pakistan.

Both countries share close defence ties, with Turkey supplying combat drones, naval platforms, and arms technology to Pakistan. Analysts warn that Pakistan could seek access to Gazap-like capabilities through technology transfer agreements or joint defence programs, adding a new dimension to India’s security calculus.

Furthermore, Pakistan and Turkey often coordinate on geopolitical issues, including their stance against India on Kashmir at international forums. The introduction of thermobaric weapons and advanced bunker-busters in the region could shift the strategic balance, especially if Pakistan leverages Turkish expertise to enhance its strike capabilities.