The two-day event was attended by Turkish and international media representatives and delegations from 20 countries. ASELSAN said the demonstration highlighted its ability to detect, track and neutralise multiple UAV threats in a coordinated operational scenario.
The demonstration included wirelessly controlled drones, fibre-optic-controlled drones and drones operating in swarm formations. The threats were detected and tracked through ASELSAN’s integrated command-and-control architecture.
ASELSAN said the demonstration validated a layered defence approach combining detection, soft-kill and hard-kill capabilities. The company said the systems operate within the lowest tier of Türkiye’s Steel Dome air defence architecture.
ASELSAN’s Drone Defence System, known as DRONDEF, is described by the company as an AI-supported integrated anti-UAV system. It is designed to neutralise mini and micro UAV threats and has a detection range of 10 km.
DRONDEF uses a layered structure that includes physical and functional destruction of threat subsystems. All subsystems can be managed from a single Command and Control Centre.
The system includes İHTAR for detection and soft kill, GÖKBERK 5/10 kW Laser Weapon System, KORKUT 25 25 mm Airburst Weapon System and GÖKALP Autonomous Interceptor Drone. It also includes EJDERHA AD high-power electromagnetic system, ŞAHİN LITE, ŞAHİN DUAL and MİĞFER Self Defence Counter FPV System.
ASELSAN said DRONDEF can be used in mobile and integrated configurations. Its intended roles include protection of critical facilities, convoy protection and self-defence against mini and micro UAV threats.
In the first phase of the demonstration, two fibre-optic-controlled drones approached the systems in a swarm formation. The threats were detected and classified by the İHTAR Counter-UAV System integrated with ASELSAN’s AURA 200-G Multifunctional Surveillance Radar.
The Drone Defence Operation Centre automatically assessed the threats and assigned them to the EJDERHA High Power Microwave Weapon System. ASELSAN said EJDERHA successfully neutralised both targets using its directed-energy capability.
The demonstration then continued with two wirelessly controlled drones approaching from different directions. ASELSAN said this scenario simulated a complex and dynamic threat environment.
After detection and classification, İHTAR used its soft-kill capabilities to disrupt and neutralise both threats. The company said the drones were neutralised before they reached critical engagement ranges.
In the final phase, a fibre-optic-controlled drone was launched towards the defended area to demonstrate hard-kill capabilities. After detection and classification through the integrated architecture, the target was assigned to the GÖKBERK Laser Weapon System.
ASELSAN said GÖKBERK acquired, tracked and destroyed the drone using precise laser engagement. The company said this completed the scenario and validated its layered approach to counter-UAV defence.
ASELSAN also highlighted the complementary roles of its counter-UAV systems within a unified command-and-control architecture. AURA 200-G provides long-range detection, tracking and classification of aerial threats, while İHTAR delivers AI-powered threat assessment and soft-kill capabilities.
The hard-kill layer is strengthened by EJDERHA and GÖKBERK. EJDERHA uses high-power microwave technology to disrupt or disable drone electronic systems, while GÖKBERK neutralises targets through laser-based engagements.
ASELSAN said the systems together form a layered and coordinated defence architecture. The company said the architecture is capable of countering both individual UAVs and swarm UAV threats.
