“We have delivered part of the Steel Dome. These are actively in use. We want to increase these numbers,” Akyol said, outlining the company’s current momentum. “This year we will deliver twice as many products compared to last year.”
The system is part of a long-term initiative to build a comprehensive, multi-layered air defence capability. “We are developing systems that will add new capabilities to the system. We are striving to operate in an integrated manner,” Akyol explained.
He described the Steel Dome architecture as hybrid and adaptive, developed in response to new and emerging threats. “It has a physical layer, an electromagnetic layer and a cognitive layer,” he noted.
In response to evolving drone threats, ASELSAN unveiled the EJDERHA (Dragon) electromagnetic weapon system as a new addition to Steel Dome. “We brought the EJDERHA System, which is the weapon for eliminating new types of aircraft with a new understanding, to the international arena for the first time here,” said Akyol.
EJDERHA uses high-powered electromagnetic waves to disable the internal electronics of unmanned aerial vehicles within a one-kilometre radius. It is specifically designed to counter kamikaze and swarm drone attacks.
ASELSAN also presented further additions to the Steel Dome suite, including GURZ, a short-range unmanned air defence system with AI capabilities, and TURAN, a tactical communications platform. GURZ operates autonomously or remotely and has an effective range of up to eight kilometres, while TURAN serves as the system’s digital core, offering secure, indigenous encryption and “military 5G” capability.
Akyol reported strong financial performance, citing ASELSAN’s position as the most valuable company on Borsa Istanbul. “Our company value, which was $7 billion-$8 billion compared to last year, exceeded $20 billion on Borsa Istanbul. It is in the position of Türkiye’s most valuable company by far,” he stated.
In 2024 alone, ASELSAN secured export contracts worth over $1 billion and delivered over $500 million in defence products. The firm currently employs 12,500 staff and has active systems in 93 countries, with over two million products in use globally.
During IDEF 2025, ASELSAN also signed agreements to develop the ALP 200-A Airborne Early Warning Radar and ALP 400-G V/UHF Radar Systems. “We have taken the step of nationalizing their radars and then giving them to the Turkish army with the vision of manned and unmanned AEW aircraft,” Akyol explained.
The new radar platforms are expected to become operational within five to six years and will significantly expand surveillance capabilities. Unlike ground-based systems, the airborne radars will provide extended coverage, including areas previously out of reach.
The firm also revealed KORAL 200, an upgraded version of its electronic warfare system, designed to suppress enemy air defences. “Compared to the existing KORAL, its power has increased approximately 2 times,” Akyol said, underlining the system’s strategic role in ensuring Turkish air superiority.
