Fortress in the Sky: Revolutionizing Air and Missile Defense for a New Era

In an era where aerial threats are evolving rapidly in speed, range, and complexity, nations are reevaluating their airspace protection strategies. Türkiye’s innovative solution is Steel Dome, a cutting-edge, multi-layered air and missile defense architecture designed to function as a fully integrated, intelligent defense ecosystem rather than a mere collection of platforms.

The Turkish government has officially named this advanced system Steel Dome, with its development spearheaded by ASELSAN. Deployment is underway across the nation, with components being systematically delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces. More than just a conventional air defense system, Steel Dome signifies a significant transformation towards network-centric, AI-enhanced airspace management.

Transforming Air Defense Architecture

Traditional air defense systems often rely on standalone platforms tailored for specific altitude ranges or threat types. However, Steel Dome radically deviates from this outdated model. It is conceived as an interconnected system of systems, where sensors, command-and-control units, electronic warfare assets, and effectors seamlessly operate within a secure and resilient network.

Designed to tackle a broad spectrum of threats—including low-altitude drones, loitering munitions, cruise missiles, combat aircraft, and long-range ballistic missiles—Steel Dome enables its components to function within a unified operational framework. This integration is augmented by artificial intelligence and real-time data fusion capabilities, enhancing overall situational awareness.

The fundamental goals of Steel Dome include continuous airspace monitoring, swift decision-making, and coordinated action, even in the face of intense electronic and cyber warfare challenges.

A Network-Centric Defense Powered by AI

The foundation of Steel Dome is a military-grade communication infrastructure designed for real-time, low-latency, and electronic-warfare-resistant connectivity. This robust network facilitates seamless communication among sensors and effectors, promoting interoperability and rapid integration of various system components.

Artificial intelligence is pivotal in this architecture, assisting in threat classification, prioritization, and weapon assignment, which significantly decreases response times in complex, multi-axis attack scenarios. Additionally, big data analytics enhance predictive capabilities, allowing the system to adapt dynamically to evolving threats.

Key design principles of Steel Dome include end-to-end real-time decision support, a modular and scalable framework, intelligent frequency management, dynamic layered defense, and strong resistance to electronic and cyber warfare, ensuring the system remains effective against both current and emerging threats.

The Three Integral Pillars of Steel Dome

Steel Dome consists of three closely integrated pillars: sensors, command and control, and effectors, with ASELSAN as the primary system integrator.

The sensor layer delivers continuous detection and situational awareness through early-warning radars, infrared search and track (IRST) systems, and electronic support measures. This foundational layer enables long-range detection and tracking, creating a comprehensive real-time air picture.

Command and Control is managed by HAKİM, ASELSAN’s AI-driven air defense command-and-control network. Acting as the digital backbone of Steel Dome, HAKİM synthesizes data from all sensors, oversees threat assessments, and coordinates engagement decisions across multiple defense layers. Designed for nationwide deployment, it guarantees rapid and synchronized responses under complex operational conditions.

The effectors provide both kinetic and non-kinetic responses across all altitude layers. ASELSAN’s SİPER long-range air defense system represents a core component of Steel Dome, already deployed to the Turkish Armed Forces with production ramping up. In addition, multiple ASELSAN HİSAR systems have been delivered for medium-range defense, while GÜRZ and KORKUT systems enhance near-field protection against low-altitude and fast-moving threats. Furthermore, ASELSAN’s counter-drone solutions such as İHTAR and ŞAHİN extend coverage against asymmetric aerial threats.

Ensured Connectivity and Deployment Across Türkiye

All components of Steel Dome are interconnected via a tactical unified radio access network called TURAN, guaranteeing secure and uninterrupted communication throughout the entire architecture. This robust infrastructure allows for continuous airspace monitoring, real-time threat assessment, and precise coordination of engagements.

The deployment of Steel Dome is progressing steadily across Türkiye, with each delivery enhancing coverage and operational depth. ASELSAN is making significant investments in production capabilities, infrastructure expansion, and new manufacturing facilities to ensure that the system remains adaptable to future needs while accelerating deliveries.

A Dynamic and Evolving Defense Ecosystem

What truly sets Steel Dome apart from other air and missile defense systems is its operational philosophy. Rather than a rigid configuration, it is envisioned as a living ecosystem, a continuously evolving architecture capable of integrating new technologies, sensors, and effectors over time.

The open and scalable design facilitates seamless data fusion across active and passive radars, electro-optical systems, and electronic warfare assets. By combining electronic warfare with kinetic firepower in a dynamic, modular, and plug-and-fight architecture, Steel Dome achieves a level of coordination that surpasses mere interception, emphasizing intelligent orchestration of all available defense resources.

This innovative approach aligns with a broader trend in modern air defense, where success hinges on information dominance, decision superiority, and resilience even in contested environments.

Recent Achievements and Operational Advances

Steel Dome has marked several significant milestones recently. During IDEF 2025 in İstanbul, ASELSAN unveiled new capabilities that further bolster the architecture, including the KORAL 200 mobile radar electronic warfare system, EJDERHA high-power electromagnetic counter-UAV system, and T-LINK National Tactical Data Link family (T-LINK A, C, M, G), all of which are expected to play vital roles within the integrated defense network.

By the end of August, ASELSAN delivered 47 key components of Steel Dome to the Turkish Armed Forces, valued at USD 460 million. These deliveries included major air defense, electronic warfare, and radar systems such as SİPER, HİSAR, KORKUT, ALP, and PUHU, celebrated at an official ceremony attended by the President of Türkiye. In response to this momentum, ASELSAN is expanding its production infrastructure to deliver over 100 systems next year.

Paving the Way for the Future of Air Defense

Steel Dome transcends traditional national defense projects. It represents a revolutionary approach to air and missile defense in the 21st century—one that emphasizes integration over isolation, intelligence over force, and adaptability over rigidity.

As deployment continues and new capabilities are added, Steel Dome is poised to become a cornerstone of Türkiye’s airspace security, offering a compelling model for how modern air defense systems must evolve to address the challenges of an increasingly complex and contested aerial landscape.

Through Steel Dome, ASELSAN not only fortifies national defense but also contributes to the global discourse on the future of integrated, intelligent air and missile defense systems.