Marwan Al -Jumaili – Ankara, Istanbul
In a move described as the largest in the history of Turkish defense industries, Asilsan launched new unprecedented new investments aimed at enhancing the infrastructure of quantitative production in advanced defense technologies, during a celebration titled “The Foundations of the next Fifty years”, coinciding with the passage of half a century after the establishment of the company.
The celebration, which was held at the Gulbashi Technology Base, brought together President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Minister of National Defense Yoshar Guller, the head of the Defense Industries Presidency, Professor Khulkoug Gorgon, along with a number of ambassadors and senior executives in the defense sector. The occasion witnessed the declaration of huge investments, the delivery of strategic systems within the “steel dome” project, and the opening of new production and research facilities.
President Erdogan laid the foundation stone for the Ugolbay Technology base, which will become the largest site for Aseelsan and a basic pillar of its career in the coming decades. The value of the investment amounted to about 1.5 billion dollars, for the base to be held on an area of 6.5 million square meters, of which 735 thousand square meters of closed areas, equivalent to 900 football fields. This base will be mainly devoted to the developed work teams of the multi -layer air defense and missile system known as the “steel dome”.
Protecting the Turkish airspace through multiple layers
In a related context, “Asilsan” announced the delivery of 47 major components of the “steel dome” components to the Turkish armed forces, at a value of $ 460 million. These components included defense, radar and electronic warfare systems, including Si̇per, Hi̇sar, and Korkut, along with Alp and Puhu (PUHU). These systems represent a qualitative shift in strengthening the integrated air defense network, ensuring the protection of Turkish airspace across multiple layers.
The company also launched 14 new facilities whose investments amounted to 280 million dollars, which included design offices for air defense systems, production and integration facilities for radars, an advanced center for research in engineering materials, a specialized facility to produce photovoltaic sensing systems (FLIR), and a center for design and integration of smart ammunition, along with Insten to integrate aviation and electronics systems (Avionics) and the “ASELSANNET HAB” production center. These facilities raised the company’s production capacity by 40%, while increasing the capacity of laboratories, research and integration spaces, and providing new job opportunities for qualified competencies, provided that the first service facilities enter the mid -2026.
The largest integrated air defense facility in Europe
In his speech, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stressed that these investments represent the “largest investment in the history of the Republic in the field of defense industries”, adding that the new rule will be “the largest integrated air defense facility in Europe.” He said: “During the next fifty years, Turkey will not be limited to meeting its defensive needs, but will become a country that makes technology and contributes to formulating the future of the world. We are confident that Aseelsan will be one of the most prominent institutions supporting this path.”
For his part, the Minister of National Defense, Yasher Guller, stressed that Asilsan, who started fifty years ago to meet Türkiye’s defensive needs today, has become a driving force that exceeded international standards. He explained that the new base and added installations will enhance the company’s competitiveness at the international level, and will also provide the recognized systems within the “Steel Dome” project great support for the movement of the Turkish army and its operational capabilities, ensuring the highest levels of national security.
Strategic jump for the sector
As for the head of the Presidency of Defense Industries, Professor Khulogg Jurgon, he considered that these investments represent a “strategic leap” for the entire sector, saying: “This achievement not only paved the way for the next fifty years of innovation, but also enhances our technological independence, expands our capabilities, and sets the foundations for forming the future of defense industries at the global level.”
During his speech, the Chairman and Executive Director of Aseelsan Ahmed Akiol indicated that the company that started half a century ago with a national dream today is among the most prominent international players in the fields of air defense, radar, electronic warfare, communications, smart ammunition and photovoltaic systems. He added: “Today we are among the fastest growing growth companies in the world, and with these investments we go ahead to convert (Asilsan) into a global technological power.”
Observers unanimously agree that this step does not represent a mere production expansion, but rather a strategic turn in the path of Turkish defense industries, as it establishes a new stage that makes Turkey not only self -sufficient to meet its defensive needs, but also a major actor in exporting defense technology and participating in formulating the balance of global power during the coming decades.
