ISTANBUL — Turkish defense company ASELSAN has signed a contract worth approximately €1.47 billion ($1.68 billion) with Türkiye's Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) to expand the serial production of the country's national air defense systems under the Steel Dome (Çelik Kubbe) program.
The agreement, announced on Friday, July 10, is an addition to ASELSAN's ongoing serial production projects for air defense systems. According to the company's disclosure to Türkiye's Public Disclosure Platform (KAP), the contract is valued at €1,470,500,012.38.
The new production agreement is expected to further strengthen Türkiye's multi-layered Steel Dome air defense architecture by increasing the manufacturing capacity of key air defense systems.
ASELSAN CEO Highlights Steel Dome Expansion
ASELSAN CEO Ahmet Akyol said the agreement will support the continued expansion of Türkiye's national air defense network.
"We continue to strengthen the Steel Dome. With the support of our state, we will continue producing in high volumes and working resolutely for the security of our country," Akyol said.
The contract follows Türkiye's continued investment in domestic defense production as the country expands its indigenous air and missile defense capabilities.
Steel Dome Air Defense Architecture
Steel Dome is Türkiye's integrated, multi-layered air defense system designed to detect, assess, and intercept a wide range of aerial threats across different altitudes and engagement ranges. The architecture combines multiple air defense systems into a single coordinated network.
Its layered structure includes:
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Low-altitude defense: Systems such as Korkut, Hisar-A, Goker, and Gokberk are designed to counter threats including drone swarms and loitering munitions.
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Medium-altitude defense: Hisar-O provides protection against conventional aerial threats.
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Long-range defense: The Siper air defense missile system forms the upper layer of the architecture.
The Steel Dome architecture reached its planned layered configuration after the long-range Siper air defense system entered service with the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF).
Integrated Network and AI-Supported Command System
Steel Dome connects air defense weapons, radar systems, electro-optical sensors, communications modules, and command-and-control centers through a unified network. This allows operational data to be shared in real time, creating a common air picture for military operators.
The network is coordinated through Hakim, Türkiye's first domestically developed upper-level air command-and-control system, supplied by ASELSAN. Hakim processes real-time operational data and uses artificial intelligence-supported software to assist commanders in evaluating threats and coordinating responses.
The system is designed to ensure that existing sensors, interceptor systems, and future air defense platforms operate together within a fully integrated command structure.
ASELSAN Shares Rise After Contract Announcement
Following the announcement, ASELSAN shares, traded on Borsa Istanbul under the ticker ASELS, rose on strong trading volume.
The stock opened Friday's session near the previous closing price of ₺358.75 before initially declining to around ₺357.50. After the contract was disclosed, the shares moved higher as investor activity increased.
The €1.47 billion agreement represents one of ASELSAN's largest recent production contracts and supports the continued expansion of Türkiye's domestically developed air defense capabilities through the Steel Dome program.
Source: turkiyetoday
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