Turkey has signed $6.5 billion in contracts to strengthen and expand its multilayered “Steel Dome” air defence system, the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) said on Wednesday.
SSB Chair Haluk Görgün said the agreements cover new combat systems and upgraded versions of existing ones to be developed by Roketsan. He added that the Steel Dome system will rely entirely on domestically produced components.
“In addition to the short- and long-range air defence systems that Roketsan and Aselsan have already developed and delivered, today we signed contracts for offensive systems previously added to the inventory and for their advanced versions,” Görgün said in a statement.
Unveiled in August 2024, the Steel Dome aims to provide integrated protection against low-, medium- and high-altitude threats through land- and sea-based platforms and sensors developed in Turkey. The system brings together locally produced missile batteries, radars, electro-optical sensors, communications units and command-and-control centres.
In August, Turkey received components worth $460 million, including the Hisar O 100 and Siper air defence systems, Alp 300-G and 100-G radar systems, Puhu and Redet electronic warfare suites, and Korkut short-range air defence vehicles.
The project has gained political prominence amid heightened regional tensions, including Israel’s military operations in Gaza, its strikes on Iran, Lebanon and Syria, and the war in Ukraine. Ankara has repeatedly said it intends to reinforce its airspace and border security and is investing in long-range missile capabilities.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in June that Turkey would raise its defence capacity to a level where “nobody will even consider” attacking it.
The Steel Dome brings together major players in Turkey’s defence sector, including Aselsan, Roketsan, the TÜBITAK-SAGE research institute, and the state-owned Machine and Chemical Industry (MKE).
Turkey’s efforts to expand domestic production have reduced its reliance on foreign suppliers from around 80% in the early 2000s to below 20% today. Strong demand for Turkish defence equipment—especially combat drones—pushed exports to a record $7.15 billion in 2024. Officials say the figure is expected to exceed $8 billion this year.