In a tweet, Turkish Defense Industry President Ismail Demir said, Ankara has started mass production the next generation of the Hissar air defense system. The development marks the beginning of a stage in the production of the long-range and precise air defense system Hissar O+, which can operate at high altitudes.
“Mass production agreement of HISAR-O+ has been signed with our Presidency and business partnership between ASELSAN-Roketsan. The deliveries under the contract are planned to be realized by 2024”, tweeted Ismail Demir.
Incidentally, Turkey has an existing air defense system named Hissar A+, which has been operationalized with combat units responsible for protecting Turkish airspace as well as the territorial integrity of the country.
Hissar is a Turkish air defense system that can shield assets, including military bases, ports, airports, and such facilities from air attacks.
While the Hissar A+ air defense system protects at low and medium altitudes, the Hissar O+ protects ranges at higher altitudes. Both weapon systems are based on an open software infrastructure, allows Turkish engineers, which makes upgrades to the air defense systems relatively easier.
Hissar A+ as well as the Hissar O+ are compatible with similar air defense systems and supporting NATO’s systems.
In 2020, the Turkish military had deployed the Hissar A+ anti-aircraft systems in the Libyan war theatre to protects its military bases, equipment, and other assets there.
It is not clear whether the deployment of the Hissar A+ fulfilled its purpose but going by satellite images, Ankara also deployed it in Korkut, suggesting that the air defense system works.
