WDS 2026: Türkiye’s ASELSAN Layered Air & Missile Defense in Focus.

ASELSAN used the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh to present its Steel Dome architecture, a layered and integrated air and missile defense concept spanning land, sea, and electromagnetic domains. The approach highlights Türkiye’s push to offer export-ready defense architectures that counter modern aerial threats through coordinated systems rather than standalone platforms.

At the World Defense Show held in Riyadh this February, Türkiye’s defense electronics firm ASELSAN detailed its Steel Dome architecture, an integrated air and missile defense concept intended to counter threats ranging from low-cost drones to cruise missiles and ballistic projectiles. Company officials said the architecture brings together sensors, effectors, command and control, and electronic warfare into a single operational framework, reflecting a shift toward multi-layered, networked defense solutions that can be adapted to national and regional requirements.
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The GÜRZ 200B tactical air and missile defense system represents an intermediate tier within the Steel Dome architecture (Picture source: Army Recognition)

At the core of ASELSAN’s presence, the Steel Dome concept reflects a layered approach to air and missile defense, integrating sensors, command and control nodes, and effectors across different engagement ranges. This architecture is designed to counter diverse threats ranging from small unmanned aerial systems to cruise missiles and selected ballistic targets, while ensuring interoperability between systems operating at very short, short, medium, and long ranges.

At the very short range layer, ASELSAN highlighted the KORKUT air defense system in its KORKUT 100/25 and KORKUT 150/35 variants. Mounted on armored platforms, these systems are armed with 25 mm and 35 mm automatic cannons respectively and are optimized for close protection of maneuvering land forces. By combining radar based detection with electro optical fire control, KORKUT is designed to engage low altitude threats such as drones, helicopters and slow moving aircraft. Its mobility allows it to accompany mechanized units in the field, providing a responsive and autonomous shield against emerging aerial threats.

Above this layer, the GÜRZ 200B tactical air and missile defense system represents an intermediate tier within the Steel Dome architecture. GÜRZ 200B integrates sensors, command elements and effectors into a compact and mobile solution capable of engaging fast and complex threats, including unmanned systems, missiles and aircraft. Designed to operate in highly contested environments, the system emphasizes rapid reaction and the ability to counter saturation attacks, while remaining fully interoperable with other air defense assets deployed within the same defensive network.

The long range component of Steel Dome is embodied by the SİPER air and missile defense system. Developed to protect strategic areas and critical infrastructure, SİPER is designed to intercept aircraft, cruise missiles and selected ballistic threats at extended ranges. The system integrates long range radars, command and control centers and advanced surface to air missiles, forming the upper tier of a layered defense architecture. Within the Steel Dome concept, SİPER provides early engagement and wide area coverage, enabling lower tier systems to focus on residual or penetrating threats.

Beyond kinetic air defense, ASELSAN emphasized the importance of electromagnetic spectrum dominance as a force multiplier. The KORAL 200 mobile radar electronic warfare system was presented as a key enabler in this domain. Designed to detect, identify and jam enemy radar emissions, KORAL 200 can disrupt surveillance and fire control systems, reducing the effectiveness of adversary air defense and strike capabilities. Rapidly deployable, the system supports both air and ground operations by degrading hostile sensor networks in contested environments.

Precision strike capabilities were also highlighted through the integration of sensor and munition technologies. ASELSAN’s ASELFLIR family of electro optical payloads provides day, thermal and laser designation capabilities for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, as well as precision targeting. When paired with the LGK laser guidance kit and the TOLUN munition, these sensors enable accurate engagement of targets with reduced collateral damage. At WDS 2026, TOLUN was displayed on the SADAK 2MK+ rack, illustrating a complete detect to engage chain suitable for both manned and unmanned aerial platforms.

ASELSAN’s exhibit extended into the maritime domain, where the company showcased a set of integrated naval defense solutions. The DÜFAS sonar system is designed for anti submarine warfare and underwater surveillance, providing detection, classification and tracking of sub-surface threats in coastal and open sea environments. Complementing this capability, the ZOKA 100-S and ZOKA 100-ED acoustic jammers are intended to counter acoustic guided torpedoes by generating deceptive signals. The aselBUOY directional sonobuoy enhances maritime surveillance from aerial or naval platforms, while the HIZIR naval countermeasure system deploys decoys and deception measures to increase the survivability of surface combatants against missile and torpedo threats.

Addressing asymmetric and close range threats on land, ASELSAN also presented the SEDA 100 gunshot detection system. Designed to acoustically detect and localize small arms fire in real time, SEDA 100 improves situational awareness in urban and asymmetric combat environments. Displayed integrated on the Hanwha Tigon 8x8 armored vehicle, the system is intended to reduce crew reaction time and enhance survivability during ambush scenarios.

Through its Steel Dome architecture and the systems presented at World Defense Show 2026, ASELSAN demonstrated a clear focus on integrated, interoperable and scalable defense solutions. Rather than promoting individual platforms, the company emphasized the value of coordinated multi-layered architectures capable of adapting to evolving threat environments across land, air and maritime domains, reinforcing its position as a provider of comprehensive defense capabilities for modern armed forces.