Türkiye’s Aselsan to take lead in Saudi Arabia’s ‘Iron Dome’ project

Saudi Arabia is poised to take a significant step toward enhancing its air defense capabilities, with Türkiye’s defense giant Aselsan set to lead the charge.

According to reports by French intelligence magazine Intelligence Online, Aselsan will likely replace European missile manufacturer MBDA in providing the air defense system for Saudi Arabia’s NEOM desert project, part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

Steel Dome to power NEOM’s air defense

The NEOM project, a futuristic mega-city planned by Saudi Arabia, will require a comprehensive defense system, and Aselsan’s Steel Dome is positioned to fulfill that need.

The Steel Dome, developed by Türkiye’s leading defense companies Aselsan, TUBITAK SAGE, Roketsan, and MKE, is a multi-layered air defense system designed to intercept a range of aerial threats.

Unlike Israel’s Iron Dome, which is limited to short-range missile defense, the Steel Dome is expected to offer a broader, more integrated defense capability. This technology has garnered significant interest in Saudi Arabia, which has shown a preference for technological cooperation and transfer over purchasing ready-made systems.

Steel Dome: A multi-layered air defense system

Aselsan’s Steel Dome is under development with a goal to launch by August 2024. It differs from Israel’s Iron Dome by incorporating a multi-layered defense system that includes short, medium, and long-range missile interceptors.

The system will utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to create a real-time operational picture, providing sophisticated defense against a variety of threats.

The Steel Dome is not just limited to missile defense; it integrates advanced sensors, radar systems, and command-control elements, allowing for real-time threat assessment and response coordination. This “system of systems” approach is expected to make it highly competitive for international markets.

Saudi Arabia’s strategic defense shift

Saudi Arabia has expressed increasing interest in partnering with countries that prioritize technology transfer and joint development.

The Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to build its domestic defense industry align with Türkiye’s flexible approach to defense cooperation.

This shift toward technology-sharing has already seen success in other defense projects. In August 2023, Saudi Arabia signed a $3 billion agreement with Türkiye’s Baykar to produce the Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) locally.

This agreement underlined the growing partnership between Ankara and Riyadh in the defense sector.

Exclusion of MBDA and changing dynamics

While the Steel Dome gains prominence in Saudi Arabia’s air defense plans, European missile manufacturer MBDA is being sidelined.

MBDA had proposed integrating its Aster series of anti-ballistic missiles into Saudi Arabia’s defense systems, but its offer was not well-received due to pricing issues and financial constraints faced by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

Experts suggest that Saudi Arabia now prefers forming joint ventures with defense companies through its military-industrial entities, such as SAMI (Saudi Arabian Military Industries).

This makes MBDA’s inclusion in the project increasingly unlikely, while Türkiye’s Aselsan remains a frontrunner in providing cutting-edge technology.

Role of Aselsan in Saudi defense

Aselsan, one of Türkiye’s largest defense companies, is spearheading the development of the Steel Dome and has already delivered several advanced systems.

Aselsan’s increasing success in international markets, coupled with its technology transfer model, makes it an attractive partner for Saudi Arabia, which is keen to develop a robust defense infrastructure for its ambitious NEOM project.

Future prospects for Steel Dome and Saudi-Türkiye defense relations

Türkiye’s defense capabilities, particularly in missile defense and air security, are expected to play an increasingly critical role in regional security.

As Saudi Arabia continues to build its defense industry, it is looking to Türkiye as a key partner.

This collaboration is poised to grow, particularly with the Saudi interest in Türkiye‘s cutting-edge technologies, including the upcoming KAAN fifth-generation fighter aircraft, also being considered for the Saudi military’s future needs.