ANKARA (SD) Turkey will build a high-altitude missile and long-range rocket testing facility in Somalia, as reported by the pro-government news website Sabah on Thursday, citing a statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

President Erdoğan reportedly announced this development during the Central Council meeting of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Friday, describing it as crucial for Turkey’s aerospace ambitions.

The decision to build this facility in Somalia is attributed to its proximity to the equator, which is advantageous for launching rockets due to the minimal fuel requirement and the optimal launch conditions. Somalia is one of the three suitable locations for equatorial launches, along with the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and the facilities used by NASA and SpaceX in Florida, USA.

The planned spaceport follows a maritime agreement between Turkey and Somalia, highlighting the deep relationship between the two countries.

Turkey previously conducted missile tests at the Sinop testing site, but its limited capacity has necessitated a move to a larger, isolated location.

Earlier this year, Turkey sent its first astronaut, Alper Gezeravcı, to the International Space Station, marking a significant milestone in the country’s space program.

This ambitious project coincides with Turkey’s economic challenges, including high inflation and currency devaluation, which are straining the daily lives of citizens. Critics argue that the funds allocated to the space program could be better spent on domestic issues, questioning the prioritization of these expensive efforts amid economic difficulties.