Announced on Tuesday, the “Steel Dome” will incorporate a network-centric and AI-supported system designed to protect Turkish airspace with a sophisticated, integrated shield. The program represents the culmination of years of investment in defence technology, reflecting Türkiye’s growing capability to meet its defence needs with homegrown solutions.
For years, Türkiye expressed dissatisfaction with its Western allies, particularly in NATO, over the lack of sufficient missile defence support. This frustration led to the acquisition of the Russian-made S-400 missile defence system, which caused a rift with the United States. In response, the U.S. barred Türkiye from participating in the F-35 fighter jet program. However, Türkiye’s new initiative aims to bypass these challenges by creating a self-sufficient defence system.
🇹🇷 The Turkey’s domestic and national air defence system Steel Dome.#defenceindustry #AirDefence
— YENİ DÖNEM 2023 🇹🇷 (@yenidonem2023) August 7, 2024
The Steel Dome project, approved by the Defence Industry Executive Committee under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, is designed to unify various domestic air defence systems, sensors, and weapons into a single, cohesive network. This system will provide real-time data to operation centers and utilize artificial intelligence to assist decision-makers in responding to potential threats.
Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz hailed the decision as a “historic” step for Türkiye, emphasizing the nation’s commitment to enhancing its security against all forms of threats while continuing to pursue diplomatic stability.
Central to the development of the Steel Dome is Aselsan, a leading Turkish defence electronics manufacturer. Aselsan will spearhead the project, bringing its extensive experience in creating advanced defence technologies to the forefront. The company is responsible for developing many of the system’s key components, particularly those for the initial layer of defence, which covers short-range threats up to 10 kilometers.
Aselsan’s contributions include systems like Korkut, Gökberk, Şahin, Göker, Ihtar, and Sungur, all of which are critical to defending against low-altitude threats. Additionally, Aselsan’s expertise will be crucial in integrating other systems into the Steel Dome, ensuring seamless communication and operation across the different layers of defence.
Other prominent Turkish defence companies, such as Roketsan, TÜBITAK Defence Industries Research and Development Institute (SAGE), and the Machine and Chemical Industry (MKE), will also play significant roles in developing and supplying various components of the system.
The Steel Dome will be structured into four defence layers: very short range, short range, medium range, and long range. Each layer is designed to address specific altitude and range requirements, ensuring comprehensive coverage across Turkish airspace. Aselsan’s Kalkan system, for instance, will act as an early warning radar, detecting incoming threats and providing critical data to the network.
The long-range layer will be defended by Siper, Türkiye’s first long-range air defence system, which is expected to enter service later this year. Initially boasting a range of 100 kilometers, Siper’s range will be extended in future iterations to provide even greater coverage.
With the Steel Dome project, Türkiye is poised to significantly bolster its air defence capabilities, making a major leap towards complete self-reliance in defence technology.
