Steel Dome Project: Turkey’s Air Defense Future
At the last Defense Industry Executive Committee meeting held under the presidency of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, it was decided to develop the Steel Dome Project, an important project that will strengthen Turkey’s air defense capacity. This project is defined as a system of systems that will “steel” the security circle in the sky.
The Steel Dome Project will be implemented in collaboration with leading Turkish defense industry companies such as ASELSAN, ROKETSAN, TÜBİTAK SAGE and Machinery and Chemical Industry (MKE). The local and national systems developed by these companies will work in an integrated manner, also utilizing artificial intelligence.
Within the scope of the project, air defense systems such as KORKUT, HİSAR-A+, GÖKDEMİR, GÖKER, GÖKBERK, HİSAR-O+ and SİPER produced by ASELSAN will be used. Steel Dome will form Turkey’s air defense shield by bringing together many air defense weapon systems, radars, electro-optic systems, communication modules, command control stations and artificial intelligence components.
Systems to be used within the scope of the project
- KORKUT System:It was developed to effectively provide air defense for mechanized units with mobile elements.
- HISAR A+:The low-altitude air defense missile system aims to protect troops on the move by neutralizing air threats at low altitude.
- GÖKDEMİR:It is designed to enable the use of nationally developed air-to-air missiles for land-based air defense purposes.
- GOKER:It was developed to meet current air and land defense needs for border regions and fixed installations.
- GÖKBERK:The Mobile Laser Weapon System is supported by radar and electro-optical sensors.
- HISAR O+:The medium-altitude air defense missile system undertakes the task of protecting critical facilities and stationary units.
- TRENCH:It is designed as a long-range regional air and missile defense system.
ROKETSANALKA, which can neutralize swarms of mini/micro unmanned aerial vehicles, mobile air defense system BURÇ, air defense missile system SUNGUR, close-in air defense system LEVENT, air defense missile family HİSAR and long-range regional air defense system SİPER are among the systems to be included in Steel Dome.
- ALKA:The Directed Energy Weapons System provides a two-layered defense against asymmetric threats.
- HOROSCOPE:The Mobile Air Defense System offers a dynamic solution against current and future air threats.
- SUNGUR:It is designed for use in short-range air defense.
- LEVENT:It was developed to neutralize threats against maritime elements.
- FORTRESS:It is used to protect against air threats.
- TRENCH:It is a long-range air and missile defense system.
Moreover, TUBITAK SAGEAnd MKEwill also make significant contributions to the project. TÜBİTAK SAGE carries out the engineering and prototype production processes and contributes to air defense with GÖKDOĞAN and BOZDOĞAN missiles. MKE is developing various technological products to meet the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces.
Artificial Intelligence Integration
The Steel Dome Project will provide the creation of 4 critical opportunities with the integration of domestic and national systems. Layered air defense systems will allow all sensors and weapons to work integrated under a network. The information that will reach the operation centers in real time will be presented to decision makers with the support of artificial intelligence. This project will not only create a shield in the sky, but will also provide deterrence for hostile elements.
