Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hailed a historic milestone on Wednesday as components of Turkey’s multi-layered air defense system were delivered to the military, describing it as a crucial moment for the country and its defense industry.
Known as “Steel Dome,” the architecture has been under construction to provide integrated protection against low, medium, and high-altitude threats through locally developed land-based and sea-based air defense platforms and sensors.
“Today we are offering our army the (Steel Dome) system, consisting of 47 vehicles worth $460 million, which will inspire confidence among allies and instill fear in adversaries,” Erdogan said at a ceremony at defense giant Aselsan’s facilities in Ankara.
“Today’s surrenders are more concrete proof that our fight has not been in vain,” he said, calling Aselsan the “heart” of the Turkish defense industry.
The event in Ankara also saw the inauguration of works at Aselsan’s new giant technology base and the opening of new facilities.
The Steel Dome crowns years of investment that have helped Turkey transform from a nation heavily dependent on foreign equipment to one where domestic systems meet almost all of the defense industry’s needs.
With this project, Turkey is “entering a new league in air defense,” Erdogan said.
In a warning post on Monday, Aselsan called Wednesday “the big day,” showcasing its domestic platforms.
Deliveries on Wednesday included Hisar O 100 and Siper air defense systems, Alp 300-G and 100-G radar systems, Puhu and Redet electronic warfare systems, and Korkut short-range air defense vehicles.
Announced in August last year, Steel Dome is described by Erdogan as a “system of systems,” integrating domestically developed missile batteries, radars, electro-optical sensors, communication modules, and command and control centers.
As part of Wednesday’s program, the foundation stone was laid for the Oğulbey Technology Base, which Erdogan said will double Aselsan’s mass production capacity through an investment of $1.5 billion.
“This base will be the largest single investment in the defense industry in Turkey’s history and the largest integrated air defense facility in Europe,” the Turkish president said.