President Erdoğan: We are incorporating the Iron Dome system into our army.

28.08.2025 02:15

The ceremony announced by ASELSAN with the statement "The big day is August 27" was held in Gölbaşı, Ankara. President Erdoğan, who shared details about the steel dome produced by ASELSAN, stated, "We are adding the Steel Dome system, consisting of 47 vehicles, to our army. Additionally, we are laying the first foundation of a 6,500-acre area, which is larger than 900 football fields, for ASELSAN."

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ASELSAN, one of Turkey's most important defense industry companies, sparked curiosity with its social media post stating "The big day is August 27." Today, a groundbreaking and opening ceremony was held at the Oğulbey Facilities in Gölbaşı, Ankara, with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

ERDOĞAN ANNOUNCED A NEW PRODUCT AT ASELSAN

President Erdoğan, who is expected to announce important developments regarding Turkey's multi-layered air defense system, the Steel Dome, delivered his much-anticipated speech. Erdoğan shared details about the steel dome system produced by ASELSAN. He also stated that a giant new facility would be established for ASELSAN.

Highlights from President Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

"August is a special month for our nation. We have won many significant victories that determine our fate, such as Malazgirt, Çaldıran, Mohaç, and the Great Offensive, in this month. Yesterday, we were in Malazgirt to commemorate Sultan Alparslan and his heroic warriors. Today, we are experiencing another pride during victory week.

"WE ARE MAKING THREE VALUABLE MOVES TO STRENGTHEN OUR ARMED FORCES TOGETHER"

We are making three valuable moves together that will empower our armed forces and elevate our defense industry to a whole new level. The first is the steel dome. The second is the opening of ASELSAN's 14 facilities. The third is the announcement of the Oğuzbey Technology Base. I believe that these steps, which will honor the souls of our martyrs, will be beneficial and auspicious for ASELSAN, our defense industry, and the Turkish Armed Forces.

"WE ARE INTRODUCING SKY DOME SYSTEMS TO OUR HEROIC ARMY"

Today, we are introducing sky dome systems consisting of a total of 47 vehicles worth 460 million dollars to our heroic army. We are well aware that we do not have the luxury of leaving things to chance. No country that cannot develop its own radar, air system, and electronic warfare capabilities can look confidently to the future in the face of current security challenges. The factor that determines the fine line between being at the table and being on the menu is your air defense and attack capabilities.

"I WITNESSED A SHOW OF FORCE"

This construction and revitalization system is making significant progress, thank God. We have made serious strides in a very short time despite all obstacles. The deliveries that took place today are the most concrete evidence that our struggle has not been in vain. I had the opportunity to see and examine our systems on-site. I witnessed a show of force. As a member of this nation, I felt proud in the face of our products.

"WITH THE STEEL DOME, WE WILL RISE TO A DIFFERENT CLASS IN AIR DEFENSE"

The delivery of a long-range air defense system and its 10 associated vehicles will be a turning point in our country's air defense. Hisar, the medium-range air defense system, will further strengthen our deterrence. The electronic warfare system will elevate our country to a higher league in this field. Of course, we will not stop here; we will continue to develop more systems with new capabilities and integrate them into our inventory. With the steel dome system, we will now rise to a different class in air defense.

"QUALIFIED EMPLOYMENT AND NEW WORKING AREAS FOR ABOUT 4 THOUSAND PEOPLE"

ASELSAN has a critical role in addition to developing systems for the steel dome. ASELSAN is also developing the artificial intelligence-supported command control software that will ensure communication between all systems. Thanks to this software, hundreds of air defense systems in the field will operate as a single system. It is essential for us to produce the high-tech products we develop quickly, efficiently, and in large quantities.

I am pleased to follow the importance that ASELSAN and our other defense companies have recently given to this issue. Among the facilities we have put into service are the air defense systems design office, radar production and integration additional facility, advanced engineering materials research and development systems, guided munitions systems facility, TEKNOPARK, and many more infrastructures. These facilities will provide qualified employment for approximately 4 thousand people and open new working areas for our young engineers.

"TODAY WE ARE LAYING THE FIRST CONCRETE FOR A GIANT CAMPUS FOR ASELSAN"

Today, we are also laying the foundation for a giant investment. We are pouring the first concrete for a giant campus worthy of ASELSAN's second 50th anniversary today. It will be one of the largest industrial investments in recent years. This investment is the largest defense industry investment made in a single instance in the history of our republic. This will be Europe's largest integrated air defense facility.

"AN AREA LARGER THAN 900 FOOTBALL FIELDS"

Since ASELSAN is the heart of our defense industry, this investment will be a critical threshold for the entire sector. Currently, the Gölbaşı Campus is an area of 800 acres. In 2015, I had the pride of inaugurating this facility on ASELSAN's 40th anniversary. In 30 years, our defense industry and ASELSAN have grown so much that today this entire campus is full. We have taken the necessary steps with our relevant institutions for a new campus. We have allocated an area of 6,500 acres, larger than 900 football fields, to ASELSAN.

"A SECOND ASELSAN IS EMERGING FROM ASELSAN"

I am talking about an area more than twice the size of this campus. Here, a second ASELSAN is emerging. The Oğuzbey Technology Base will be one of the most advanced defense technology centers in the region. This investment will increase ASELSAN's mass production capacity by more than double, elevating our country to a leading position in the world. God willing, we will activate the first facility by the middle of 2026. This is not just about concrete, iron, and cement. This is about technology, R&D, design, and production.

"ASELSAN IS A SYMBOL OF A HEROIC JOURNEY THAT CARRIES DEEP TRACES IN THE MEMORY OF A NATION"

While a segment led by the main opposition instills hopelessness, pessimism, and almost hatred for their own country in its bright young people, we are providing our youth with brand new horizons.

While some irresponsibly call Turkish youth to the streets, almost inciting violence to defend robbers, we invite them to TEKNOFEST. Regardless of their views, ideas, or backgrounds, we invite all our youth within our borders and abroad to join us in building Turkey's prosperous future together in our world-renowned companies. ASELSAN is not just a company; it is also a symbol of a heroic journey that carries deep traces in the memory of a nation.

The painful memories from the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation taught us very important lessons. The step taken 50 years ago by a handful of idealistic engineers with modest means has today become one of the fastest-growing defense industries in the world. Not only ASELSAN but also our other companies have truly signed many successful projects that make us proud. We are ensuring that a significant source that would go abroad remains in our country. Last year, we achieved an export exceeding 7 billion dollars in the sector.