Turkey is taking its military advancement and self-reliance to a new level with the inauguration of its domestically developed “Steel Dome” air defense system.
Newsweek has reached out to Turkey’s Defense Ministry for additional comment.
Why It Matters
The unveiling, attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday, signals Turkey’s rapid push to develop homegrown defense capabilities, becoming the latest country to deploy an advanced “dome” system to defend territory.
Turkey appears to be moving faster than the U.S. and its “Golden Dome” concept and joins the likes of Israel and its Iron Dome. However, Turkey is focused on national defense, while U.S. President Donald Trump‘s multi-layered defense concept aims to protect both the U.S. homeland and forward-deployed forces abroad.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at Steel Dome Deliveries-Facility Openings and Oğulbey Groundbreaking Ceremony on August 27, 2025.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at Steel Dome Deliveries-Facility Openings and Oğulbey Groundbreaking Ceremony on August 27, 2025.
Turkey Directorate of Communications
What To Know
Aselsan, Turkey’s main defense contractor, released footage showing the Steel Dome integrated air defense system, which is designed to intercept missiles, drones and crewed aircraft across a range of altitudes with mobile launchers, radar networks and command systems.
The inauguration at Aselsan’s Golbasi Technology Base also marked the launch of Turkey’s largest-ever defense investment, worth at $1.5 billion.
Ülkemizin semalarını her türlü tehdide karşı teknolojik bir zırhla koruyacak, vatanımızın güvenliği için gece gündüz görev başında olacak Çok Katmanlı Entegre Hava Savunma Sistemi #ÇELİKKUBBE unsurlarının teslimatı, Cumhurbaşkanımız Sayın Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’ın teşrifleriyle… pic.twitter.com/RoupPYv09H
— ASELSAN (@aselsan) August 27, 2025
According to the company, GOKBERK, a mobile laser air defense system within the Steel Dome project, has been tested against first-person view drones, neutralizing them with both laser strikes and electronic jamming. The system uses AI-assisted tracking for rapid, cost-effective and round-the-clock defense.
Turkey unveiled plans in July 2024 to build its Steel Dome system, aiming to field homegrown air defenses comparable to Israel’s Iron Dome. Turkey is rapidly advancing its indigenous defense capabilities, developing aircraft, naval vessels and missile systems that have also attracted interest overseas.
Erdogan said last month that Turkey’s defense exports had hit $990 million, up 129 percent from the previous year, with January-to-July sales totaling $4.6 billion.
“I believe we will reach the level of 20 billion dollars in a couple of years,” he said.
What People Are Saying
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey said during the Steel Dome inauguration on Wednesday: “Currently, we meet as high as 80 percent of our heroic army’s needs through homegrown systems. We thus keep a substantial resource, which would otherwise go abroad, inside the country.”
Turkish defense firm Aseslan said on Facebook: “The delivery of elements of the Multilayer Integrated Air Defense System that will protect the skies of our country with a technological armor against all kinds of threats, and will be on duty day and night for the safety of our homeland, was carried out with the presence of our President Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan.”
What Happens Next
The new Steel Dome will be central to defending fixed sites like military bases, airports, and energy infrastructure, while its mobility allows it to be deployed wherever needed, Aseslan said.