Turkish defense companies have signed contracts worth $6.5 billion to reinforce and develop Turkiye’s integrated, multilayered “Steel Dome” air defense system, the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) announced Wednesday.

Domestic defense systems at the core

In a statement, SSB Chair Haluk Gorgun confirmed that the contracts cover combat systems and their advanced versions, which will be developed by Roketsan. The Steel Dome will rely entirely on domestically produced systems.

"In addition to the air defense, short-range and long-range air defense systems that our companies Roketsan and Aselsan have previously produced, developed, and introduced into the inventory, today," Gorgun said.

"We also signed contracts related to the offensive systems previously introduced into the inventory by Roketsan and their advanced versions," Gorgun stated.

Integrated protection across multiple layers

Announced in August 2024, Steel Dome is designed to provide integrated protection against low, medium, and high-altitude threats using land-based and sea-based platforms, sensors, and command-and-control systems, all developed domestically.

The system includes missile batteries, radars, electro-optical sensors, communications modules, and command centers, marking years of investments aimed at reducing Turkiye’s reliance on foreign defense technology.

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Recent deliveries and key components

In August 2025, Turkiye received multiple components valued at $460 million, including Hisar O 100 and Siper air defense systems, Alp 300-G and 100-G radar systems, Puhu and Redet electronic warfare systems, and Korkut short-range air defense vehicles.

The Steel Dome program involves major Turkish defense players such as Aselsan, Roketsan, TUBITAK Defense Industries Research and Development Institute (SAGE), and Machine and Chemical Industry (MKE).

Strategic context

Turkiye has highlighted the importance of strengthening its airspace and border defenses amid regional tensions, including unabated Israeli aggression on Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, Qatar, and Syria.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emphasized that Turkiye aims to raise its defense capabilities to levels “nobody will even consider” attacking it, underscoring the strategic priority of the Steel Dome program. Over the last two decades, Turkiye has significantly reduced its foreign dependency in defense from around 80% in the early 2000s to below 20% today.

Defense exports, fueled by the popularity of combat drones, reached $7.15 billion in 2024, up from $5.5 billion in 2023 and $4.4 billion in 2022. Officials project exports to exceed $8 billion in 2025.

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