07.08.2024 16:00
A critical step has been taken for Turkey's comprehensive air defense system. The Defense Industry Executive Committee has decided on the 'Steel Dome' system. This structure, which will provide a network-based and artificial intelligence-supported shield from the lowest to the longest range, will leave no room for any threat in the Sky Homeland. This structure will be more effective than Israel's Iron Dome and will be able to withstand threats from various altitudes.
Turkey is building a domestic air defense system against potential threats from the air due to increasing geopolitical tensions. The air defense system, which is an important part of the Turkish Air Force, consists of various layers. The Defense Industry Executive Committee announced yesterday that the name "Steel Dome" has been given to all components of the domestic and national air defense system. Accordingly, all systems including Sungur, Korkut, Hisar-A, Hisar-O, Siper, and the layers that make up the system will be referred to by this name.
ALL THREATS WILL BE ELIMINATED
Turkey has been developing its layered air defense system for a long time. Close-range air defense systems and low and medium altitude systems are already in inventory. The first phase of the long-range air defense system SİPER is nearing completion. The committee discussed the interoperability of this system family, its compatibility with newly developed air radar systems, and the creation of a simultaneous air picture managed from the operation center under the title "Steel Dome". When ASELSAN's developed system is fully operational, the national Steel Dome will be able to eliminate all threats that enter or are likely to enter Turkish airspace from almost any altitude.
WHY ARE AIR DEFENSE SYSTEMS IMPORTANT?
Security Expert Coşkun Başbuğ, who commented on the importance of Steel Dome, states that wars nowadays start in the air and end on the ground. Başbuğ points out that the technological advancements in ballistic missiles highlight the importance of air defense systems and says, "Missiles have become the first resort in attacks on other countries. We can see an example of this in the incident between Iran and Israel."
MORE COMPREHENSIVE THAN ISRAEL'S IRON DOME
Başbuğ states that Israel's Iron Dome system is only effective in low-level air defense and has only one layer. Therefore, Başbuğ says that the impact of Iron Dome is limited and adds, "Turkey's Steel Dome is the general name for all effective layers against threats from various altitudes."
HEADLINES IN THE GREEK PRESS
The system, which will provide a significant advantage in terms of security to Turkey in a challenging geopolitical region when implemented, has also attracted great attention in the Greek press. Newspapers and websites announced the development on their front pages and shared all the details of the meeting held by the Defense Industry Executive Committee.
- ErtNews, a news site in Greece, stated in its article that significant investments will be made in Turkey's defense industry in the new era and used the phrase "Erdoğan is preparing his 'Steel Dome'."
- News24/7 presented the news to its readers with the headline "Erdoğan's Steel Dome: What is Turkey preparing?"
- Skai said, "Turkey is planning the 'steel dome' of integrated air defense," while Politic stated, "Turkey is planning an integrated anti-aircraft system," in their news articles.
- Naftemporiki newspaper carried the news on its front page with the headline "Turkey: Designing an Air Defense System Called 'Steel Dome'."