Aselsan sees Steel Dome evolving into broader nationwide air defence architecture

Turkish air defence systems involved in Exercise ‘EFES-2026'. (Devrim Yaylali)

Aselsan sees Steel Dome evolving into a broader nationwide air defence system, the company's CEO, Ahmed Akyol, told Janes following the conclusion of Exercise ‘EFES-2026' held at the Doğanbey exercise area in Izmir 20-21 May 2026.

Akyol stated on 22 May that “recent deliveries and official statements clearly show that Steel Dome is evolving into a broader nationwide air defence architecture.” He expected the deployment of air defence systems, radars, and command-and-control (C2) elements across Türkiye to continue to expand and for the deployment of new systems to further increase in 2026.

“Steel Dome is not a static project but a living and continuously evolving concept. The architecture is constantly updated according to operational lessons, emerging threats, and battlefield developments. Aselsan continues to strengthen the system by adding new layers, capabilities, and technologies,” Akyol said.

Asked how this will affect deliveries of the company's systems, he replied that “this directly impacts Aselsan's production and delivery volumes. Steel Dome remains Aselsan's top strategic focus area, and serial production together with high-volume deliveries will continue to increase. Expanded production capacity, including new investments such as the Oğulbey Technology Base, will support large-scale air defence output.”

Akyol reported that deliveries are continuing under a long-term national air defence programme framework, which gives Aselsan strong visibility for production planning and capacity management. In parallel with Türkiye's growing deployment requirements, we are also seeing increasing international interest in Steel Dome-related systems, particularly in areas such as layered air defence, counter-UAS [counter-unmanned aircraft systems], radar, and electronic warfare.