President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan attended the ceremony for the Steel Dome system, one of the defense industry’s newest products, to enter the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) inventory. Erdoğan also inaugurated ASELSAN’s new facilities and attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Oğulbey Technology Base.
President Erdoğan posed with the Steel Dome
In his speech at the ceremony, the President emphasized Turkey’s progress in the defense industry. “We are witnessing a new phase of independence, not just for a company, but for a nation,” Erdoğan said, adding that no country that fails to develop its own warfare systems can face the future with confidence.
Erdoğan stated that the difference between being at the table and being on the menu lies in the effectiveness of air defense and attack systems. He noted that recent conflicts in the environment have demonstrated the importance of air systems.
Erdoğan announced the completion of three important steps at the ceremony: the Steel Dome, ASELSAN’s new facilities, and the Oğulbey Technology Base. He also announced the acquisition of the 47-vehicle system, valued at $460 million, to the TSK. He stated that this system, which “instills confidence in friends and fear in foes,” will strengthen the army’s power and take it to another level.
The President stated that he had the opportunity to see the systems before arriving at the ceremony hall and that it was a show of force. He stated that one Siper and its associated 10-vehicle system represent a turning point in air defense.
He also stated that three HİSAR medium-range air defense systems and a total of 21 vehicles will further strengthen deterrence. He added that the KORKUT air system and early warning radars will serve as eyes and ears on the ground.
Erdoğan also touched upon ASELSAN’s 14 new facilities, which have been inaugurated, stating that these facilities are valued at $280 million and will increase production capacity. He stated that these facilities will provide qualified employment for approximately 4,000 people.
Finally, Erdoğan noted that they attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Oğulbey Technology Base, stating that this $1.5 billion investment will go down in history as the largest single defense industry investment in the Republic’s history. He stated that this base will be a massive facility befitting ASELSAN’s second 50 years, and that the first concrete was poured today.
Concluding his speech, Erdoğan congratulated everyone involved, stating that new weapons will continue to be added to the inventory and that the Steel Dome will elevate air defense to a new level. He also noted that ASELSAN has developed an artificial intelligence-based system that will enable communication between all systems in the field.
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