The Turkish government has finalized a €1.6 billion ($1.9 billion) deal with Aselsan to equip its military with modern air defense systems.
The deal is part of the country’s wider Steel Dome program, which seeks to create an indigenous air and missile defense shield under Aselsan’s leadership. System deliveries will run from 2027 through 2031.
By investing heavily in the initiative, Turkey aims to expand local defense production, enhance export potential, and minimize dependency on imported systems. The push for self-reliance follows setbacks in obtaining Western air defenses after its controversial purchase of the Russian S-400 in 2017, a move that damaged NATO relations.
To support the program, Ankara committed $1.5 billion earlier this year to establish a new production hub, touted as Europe’s largest air defense facility. The initiative has already delivered 47 essential system components to the military as of August.
