Eurosatory 2026: Aselsan presents system for arming merchant ships with guns and missiles

A model of Aselsan's concept for containerised gun and missile systems to be placed on commericial ships for protection, displayed at Euronaval 2026. (Devrim Yaylali)

Aselsan unveiled a containerised air-defence concept for merchant ships transiting hostile waters at the Euronaval 2026 exhibition, held in Paris from 3–6 November.

The concept combines self-contained weapons and command-and-control systems that can be installed on deck before a voyage and removed afterwards. Designed to operate independently of the host vessel, it incorporates the Gökdeniz gun-based air-defence system and Göksur point defence missile system.

Derived from the Korkut self-propelled air-defence system, Gökdeniz has its own radar and electro-optical sensors. Its twin 35 mm guns have a combined firing rate of 1,100 rounds/min and an effective range of 4 km against aerial targets using Aselsan's Atom programmable airburst ammunition. It can also engage surface targets.

Göksur was developed by Aselsan in co-operation with Türkiye's Defence Industries Research and Development Institute, Tübitak Sage. It has a stated effective range of 15 km against threats including sea-skimming anti-ship and cruise missiles, UAVs, and combat aircraft. An Aselsan representative told Janes that each launcher container will carry 12 vertically launched missiles, supported by radar, datalink equipment, and operators housed in a separate fire-control container.

The combined configuration described by the representative requires at least four containers: one each for Gökdeniz, Göksur's launcher, Göksur's fire-control equipment, and power supply.

The representative said Aselsan had signed a contract with a foreign navy for the containerised air-defence system, with deliveries expected in 2027, but did not specify the configuration ordered.