Turkish defense-electronics firm Aselsan has unveiled its integrated air-defense system, Steel Dome, describing it as a multi-layered, multi-domain solution that merges kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities with advanced decision-support algorithms. The company showcased the system during an international press event at its Gölbaşı facility in Ankara.
Aselsan presents Steel Dome as a response to emerging threats such as small drones, maneuverable ballistic paths, and increasingly complex sensor networks. The system employs a “smart layers” approach, combining soft-kill methods, electronic jamming, directed energy, and kinetic measures to engage targets based on operational needs.
At the heart of Steel Dome lies a command-and-control component built around Aselsan’s HAKİM airspace management system, which integrates radar, communications, and intelligence data. Using artificial intelligence and machine learning, HAKİM generates a unified air picture to inform engagement decisions. The system was designed according to NATO command-and-control standards and is compatible with equipment currently used by the Turkish Air Force.
Aselsan is collaborating with international partners—including Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Thales, and Raytheon—on developing modular components for a ground-based air-defense system.
The Steel Dome project received approval from the Defence Industry Executive Committee (SSİK) on August 6, 2024. Nearly 50 system elements were added to the Turkish Armed Forces inventory on August 27, 2025, with a combined value exceeding $460 million. Additionally, Aselsan signed a procurement contract with the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) worth €1.65 billion ($1.92 billion), with deliveries planned from 2027 to 2031.
