Aselsan to deliver more Steel Dome Air Defense System components in 2025
Aselsan, a leading Turkish defense company, showcases its advanced naval weapon systems at the IDEX and NAVDEX 2025 International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Feb. 17, 2025. (AA Photo)
A leading Turkish defense company, Aselsan’s CEO Ahmet Akyol announced that the company will deliver a greater number of subsystems and components for the Steel Dome air defense project to the Turkish inventory this year.
Speaking at the International Economic Summit held in Sapanca, Sakarya, Akyol emphasized that the project is progressing successfully.
The remarks came during a panel titled “The Future of Defense Technologies in Light of Changing Concepts”, moderated by ULAK CEO Rusen Komurcu, and featuring key figures including Altinay Defense Technologies CEO Burak Mercan, SASAD President Osman Okyay, and Pasifik Teknoloji Board Member Muhammed Selman Donmez.
Steel Dome system integrates AI and layered defense
Highlighting Türkiye’s strategic defense development, Akyol said Aselsan is building a new-generation system powered by artificial intelligence, capable of instant communication through a “Military 5G” infrastructure.
“This system analyzes threat sets, engages with appropriate weapons, and includes multiple layers of sensors and weapons for Türkiye’s national security,” Akyol said.
We are currently implementing a layered system—driven by artificial intelligence—that can make decisions, communicate at what we call ‘Military 5G’ speeds without delay, analyze every threat set, and respond with the right engagement and weapon. This system includes various sensors and weapon systems, tailored for the new world order, the evolving geography, and the future security of our country.
This year, we will integrate more subcomponents and systems, including the Iron Dome component, into the inventory. Our project is progressing successfully.
Aselsan CEO Ahmet Akyol
$1B saved through localization in 2024
Akyol also noted that localization efforts in 2024 helped retain $1 billion within the national economy for the first time.
“We achieved an average cost advantage of 22% at Aselsan through increased efficiency, localization, and investment in high-value products,” he stated.
Aselsan signed $6.5 billion in new contracts last year, reaching a total backlog of $14 billion, and achieved 18% growth in U.S. dollar, becoming the 10th fastest-growing defense company worldwide, according to Akyol.
To sustain this momentum, the company is investing $250 million annually, creating nearly 1,000 new qualified jobs, and allocating 7% of revenue to self-financed research and development.
Strategic focus on European defense partnerships
Akyol underlined the company’s intention to strengthen export-driven growth through European collaborations.
“We have begun negotiating concrete partnerships in several European countries,” he said. “We expect to accelerate this trend in 2025, and initial results from the first quarter are promising.”
Global demand rising for Turkish defense technologies
During the panel, Burak Mercan of Altinay Defense noted the growing international demand for Turkish defense products, driven by Ankara’s strategic efforts over the last 20 years.
“There is serious global interest in Turkish defense products, technologies, and engineers,” Mercan said.
He highlighted that demand is growing across the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia, and Europe, despite Europe’s superior technological depth by stating, “Although Europe is ahead of us in terms of technological depth, it is not currently on the same level as us in terms of industrial capacity. Therefore, we carry strong potential compared to them. I believe that in the coming period, significant opportunities may arise in our country and for companies operating here, even from a European perspective.”
“Our industrial capacity positions us as strong competitors,” he added.
Türkiye’s strategic vision in defense and technology
Muhammed Selman Donmez of Pasifik Teknoloji said that Türkiye’s investments in defense and technology over the past two decades have been visionary.
“In the emerging geopolitical order between the U.S. and China, countries with robust defense industries—not just economic power—will become key balancing actors,” Donmez said.
SASAD Chair highlights evolving concept of deterrence
Osman Okyay, chair of SASAD and vice president of Kale Group, emphasized that deterrence remains the primary motivation for defense spending, though the definition has evolved toward more abstract domains such as cyber and electronic warfare.
Defense minister opens Missile Defense Training Center
In a related development, National Defense Minister Yasar Guler inaugurated the Air and Missile Defense Simulator Center in Izmir.
The ceremony, held at the Air Technical Schools Command, was attended by top military officials, including Chief of General Staff Metin Gurak, Land Forces Commander Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, Air Forces Commander Ziya Cemal Kadioglu, and Aselsan CEO Ahmet Akyol.
