Steel Dome
| Çelik Kubbe (Steel Dome) | |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Turkey |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2025–present |
| Used by | Turkish Armed Forces |
| Production history | |
| Designer | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Produced | 2024–present |
Steel Dome (Turkish: Çelik Kubbe) is a multi-layered combined air defense system developed by Turkey using domestic technology. It has an integrated architecture, where air defense systems operate at different altitudes in an integrated manner. The system includes domestic systems such as Sungur, GÖKSUR, Korkut, Gürz SHORAD, Hisar-A, Hisar-O, Siper missile systems, Aselsan EIRS, ALP 100-G, ALP 300-G radars and REDET, PUHU, KORAL, VURAL electronic warfare systems. Its integrated architecture creates a common air picture and increases defense effectiveness with artificial intelligence-based decision support systems.
History
[edit]The Steel Dome Project was approved at the Defense Industry Executive Committee (SSİK) meeting held on 6 August 2024. The system aims to integrate sensor and weapon systems within a network-centric structure within a layered air defense architecture, create a common air picture, and transfer this data to artificial intelligence-supported decision-making systems.[1]
It was developed by Aselsan in coopearation with Roketsan, Tübitak SAGE and MKE.[1]
Steel Dome entered the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces on 27 August 2025[1] in a ceremony which Aselsan delivered a 47 piece high, medium, and low-altitude air defense system and radar, totaling $460 million. It was announced that these deliveries were the first component of Turkey's air defense project.[2] Erdoğan stated at the ceremony that one Siper battery consisting of 10 vehicles, three Hisar batteries consisting of 21 vehicles, seven PUHU and two REDET electronic warfare systems, ALP 300-G, ALP 100-G radars were delivered.[3][4] On 26 November 2025, the Turkish Defence Agency signed a $6.5 billion contract with Aselsan, Havelsan, and Roketsan for the procurement of new air-defense systems for the “Steel Dome” project.[5][6][7]
System components
[edit]Steel Dome integrates domestic air defense systems that are effective at varying altitudes. The system includes radars, electro-optical sensors, command and control centers, and air defense elements with different ranges.[1]
- İhtar 100,[8] and Şahin 130/40GL,[9] Micro/Mini unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) interception system,[10]
- Gökberk,[10] mobile laser weapon system against UAVs,[11]
- Gürz 150,[12] superior target detection, identification, and tracking, Identification friend or foe (IFF) system, multiple engagement and sequential firing, gun turret providing 360° firing capability,[13]
- Korkut SSA,[12] mobile single-barrel and double-barrel 35 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG). Programmable munitions that detonate on approach to the target. Effective against UAVs and cruise missiles,[1][14]
- GÖKSUR SAM-based CIWS[15]
- Hisar A and Hisar O, short and medium-range air defence systems of the Hisar missile family with ranges of 15 and 25 km (9.3 and 15.5 mi) respectively,[1]
- Siper, a high to medium air defense surface-to-air missile (SAM) system,[1] of Siper-1 with 100 km (62 mi) and Siper-2 150 km (93 mi) range.[16]
- Eralp,[12] long range S-band early-warning radar system.[17]
- ALP 300-G, long range AESA radar
- ALP 100-G, low altitude AESA radar
See also
[edit]- Iron Dome, Israeli missile defense system
- Golden Dome, American missile defense system
- Mission Sudarshan Chakra, Indian missile defense system
- T-Dome, Taiwanese missile defense system
- Missile defense systems by country
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Doğan Boran, Hilken (8 August 2024). "Çelik Kubbe' hava savunma sistemi nasıl çalışacak, neden önemli?". BBC News Türkçe (in Turkish). Retrieved 28 August 2025.
- ^ "Erdogan unveils Turkey's new 'Steel Dome' integrated air defense system". PBS News. 27 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
- ^ "Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan: Sistemler sistemi Çelik Kubbe ile hava savunmasında artık farklı bir klasmana çıkacağız" [President Erdoğan: We will now be in a different league in air defense with the Steel Dome system]. Anadolu Agency (in Turkish). 27 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
- ^ "'Big day' as Türkiye sees Steel Dome air defense delivery". Daily Sabah. 27 August 2025. Retrieved 29 August 2025.
- ^ "Turkish firms sign $6.5 billion contracts to reinforce 'Steel Dome' defence system". Reuters. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ "Türkiye's $6.5B Multi-Layered Steel Dome Expansion Sets New Benchmarks in Regional Air Defence". Army Recognition. 28 November 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ "Turkey spends $6.5 billion to boost 'Steel Dome' air defenses amid Israel tensions". The Times of Israel. 26 November 2025. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
- ^ "İhtar 100" (in Turkish). Aselsan. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- ^ "Şahin 130/40GL" (in Turkish). Aselsan. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Türkiye'nin Hava Savunma Şemsiyesi: ÇELİK KUBBE" (in Turkish). Defence Türkiye. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- ^ "Geleceğin Sistemlerinde Aselsan İmzası: Gökberk Mobil Lazer Silah Sistemi" (in Turkish). Aselsan. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- ^ a b c "Çelik Kubbe'nin 3 neferi! Korkut, Gürz ve Eralp: 'En iyi cevap veren füzeyi fırlatacak'". Milliyet (in Turkish). 27 July 2025. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- ^ "Gürz 150" (in Turkish). Aselsan. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- ^ "Kotkut SSA" (in Turkish). Aselsan. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- ^ "FIRST LIVE FIRE TEST OF GÖKSUR SUCCESSFULLY CONDUCTED". Aselsan. 18 February 2025. Archived from the original on 7 July 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ^ "Siper" (PDF) (in Turkish). Roketsan. Retrieved 30 August 2025.
- ^ "Eralp" (PDF) (in Turkish). Aselsan. Retrieved 30 August 2025.