Turkey has signed contracts worth $6.5 billion to enhance its integrated air defense network, known as the Steel Dome, officials said on Tuesday.
The agreements, coordinated by the Defense Industries Presidency (SSB), cover upgrades to existing systems and the acquisition of new offensive and defensive capabilities.
“At this stage, Roketsan and Aselsan have signed contracts for newly added offensive systems as well as advanced versions of previously developed air defense systems,” SSB head Haluk Gorgun said at a signing ceremony.
Gorgun said the Steel Dome forms a central part of Turkey’s layered air defense doctrine, which integrates short- and long-range systems with domestic software and hardware.
“Of course, we are working to produce all elements of the layered air defense systems architecture, including subsystems, integrated networking, software, and hardware,” Gorgun said. “We have also signed the serial production of offensive systems that will enhance our deterrence.”
Gorgun highlighted Turkey’s growing role as a global defense exporter, saying the country is now among the top 10 in defense product exports. He noted that while Turkey continues to meet its own air defense needs, the country is also capable of exporting systems internationally.