“In Every Domain We Enter, Our Ambition is Not Simply to Participate, But to Lead”

By combining operational insight, technological leadership, global reach, and industrial resilience, the company is building the foundations required to become one of the world’s top 30 defence companies by 2030, says Ahmet Akyol, ASELSAN CEO and President.

In an interview, Akyol speaks about a range of issues, including the company’s definition of success, the pathway to achieving its 2030 the goal, its capabilites in the maritime domain, and the Steel Dome Project.

The company has set itself the goal of being one of the top 30 defense companies in the world by 2030. What are some of the key steps being taken to achieve the goal?

Over the next decade, our success will be defined not merely by the markets we enter or the revenues we generate, but by the technological depth we build, the deterrence we enable, and the resilience we help nations achieve in an increasingly complex world.

We are operating at a time of profound geopolitical and technological transformation. From the Russia–Ukraine war to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, South Asia, and the Asia-Pacific, the global defense landscape is being fundamentally reshaped. Defence budgets are rising worldwide, reflecting a clear understanding that strong economies, strong militaries, and strong defense industries are inseparable. However, recent conflicts have shown that increased spending alone is not sufficient—what truly matters is capability, relevance, and adaptability.

At ASELSAN, one of the key steps toward our 2030 goal is ensuring that our technologies are shaped directly by operational realities. Through our permanent Operational Analysis Board, we continuously assess modern battlefields in real time. These insights feed directly into our product roadmaps, allowing us to design systems that are not only technologically advanced, but also strategically decisive.

This approach is clearly reflected in our work on next-generation air dominance solutions such as Steel Dome—an AI-supported, multi-layered, network-centric integrated air and missile defense architecture designed for the warfare of tomorrow. In today’s era of algorithmic warfare and cognitive battlespaces, the question is no longer how many platforms you have, but how smart they are. Interoperability, autonomy, spectrum dominance, and decision-making speed are now decisive factors, and we embed intelligence, adaptability, and autonomy into every system we develop.

At the same time, we are executing a focused global expansion strategy. In every domain we enter—air defense, electro-optics, smart munitions, radar, cyber and electronic warfare—our ambition is not simply to participate, but to lead. This ambition is supported by tangible momentum, with more than two million fielded systems worldwide, including AI-integrated sensors, electronic warfare platforms, and real-time sensor fusion solutions.

Finally, we are investing heavily in agile, high-capacity serial production and next-generation technologies, ranging from quantum and dual-use hybrid systems to AI-based cognitive warfare tools and resilient communications architectures. All of this is driven by a single objective: to empower nations not only to defend, but to deter.

By combining operational insight, technological leadership, global reach, and industrial resilience, we believe we are building the foundations required to become one of the world’s top 30 defense companies by 2030—and to do so in a way that delivers lasting strategic value for our partners and customers.

The Steel Dome air defense project is one of Turkey’s main priorities. How integral is ASELSAN’s role in the project?

The Steel Dome project represents a paradigm shift from platform-based air defense to a fully integrated, network-centric national shield, and ASELSAN stands at the very heart of this concept. From the outset, Steel Dome was designed not as a collection of standalone systems, but as a unified, AI-supported architecture capable of creating and managing a real-time air picture across the entire country. ASELSAN is the main architect and system integrator of this vision.

Our role spans all critical layers of the Steel Dome architecture. We develop and deliver the core sensor systems, including long-range radars and electronic warfare assets; the AI-based command and control backbone that enables real-time decision-making; and key air defense effectors that provide layered protection from low-altitude threats to long-range missiles. By seamlessly integrating sensors, shooters and electronic warfare elements into a secure, resilient and low-latency network, ASELSAN ensures that all components operate as a single, synchronized defense ecosystem.

Beyond technology delivery, ASELSAN is also driving the nationwide deployment and evolution of Steel Dome. We are scaling up production, expanding our industrial footprint and continuously enhancing the system with new capabilities. This makes Steel Dome a living and adaptive architecture, and ASELSAN its central nervous system, ensuring Türkiye’s air and missile defense remains effective against today’s and tomorrow’s threats.

What is the company’s strategy for long-term growth in the Middle East?

ASELSAN’s long-term growth strategy in the Middle East is founded on building trusted partnerships, maintaining a strong local presence, and committing to sustainable, long-term collaboration. We approach the region not as a short-term market, but as a strategic geography where defense modernization, localization, and enduring relationships are critical to success.

A key element of this strategy is proximity to customers and end users. ASELSAN maintains offices and operational presence across several Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Oman. This regional footprint enables continuous engagement with local stakeholders, a deeper understanding of operational requirements, and the ability to respond rapidly to evolving needs throughout the full lifecycle of our solutions.

From a capability perspective, we position ASELSAN’s product families as integrated and interoperable solution sets. Our portfolio spans air defense, command-and-control architectures, communications, sensors, electronic warfare, electro-optics, avionics, guidance technologies, and unmanned systems. These families are designed to be modular and scalable, allowing our partners to adopt solutions that align with their specific operational concepts while remaining future-ready.

Localization and industrial cooperation are central to our long-term growth in the Middle East. Beyond direct exports, we actively pursue cooperative models such as joint programs, local integration, technology partnerships, and capacity development. By working closely with local industries and leveraging regional talent, we aim to support the development of sustainable national capabilities and create shared long-term value.

In parallel, ASELSAN continues to invest heavily in research, development, and production infrastructure to support both regional and global demand. Our expanding manufacturing capacity and strong system integration capabilities ensure that we can deliver advanced technologies at scale, while providing reliable support, upgrades, and modernization over decades of service.

Ultimately, our goal in the Middle East is to be a long-term, trusted technology partner that supports regional security objectives through integrated, high-performance, and adaptable solutions. By combining advanced technology, strong local presence, and collaborative engagement models, ASELSAN is well-positioned to achieve sustainable growth and contribute meaningfully to the region’s evolving defense ecosystem.

Please elaborate on ASELSAN's capabilities in the maritime domain?

Today, ASELSAN has reached a level of maturity where we can deliver nearly all mission-critical systems required on a modern warship. On a single MİLGEM-class naval platform, we supply close to 50 different systems, covering a broad spectrum from air defense, radar, electronic warfare, communications, to electro-optics. This comprehensive capability reflects our national achievement in developing fully indigenous naval combat systems, as well as our success in exporting these advanced technologies to allied nations.

In close cooperation with Turkish shipyards, we are now capable of contributing to the construction of a complete naval platform from the ground up. Beyond surface ships, we also provide advanced systems for submarines, and when modernization is required, ASELSAN has the competence to upgrade an entire vessel, regardless of its platform or origin. As a result, naval systems have become one of the most dynamic and high-potential segments of our export portfolio, with ASELSAN technologies actively deployed across multiple countries.

As a leading provider and integrator of naval combat suites, ASELSAN has also expanded its capabilities to unmanned maritime systems. Our solutions include unmanned surface vehicles such as MARLIN USV, which is designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, force protection, and asymmetric threat response missions. By integrating advanced sensors, command-and-control systems, and autonomous operation capabilities, ASELSAN enables manned–unmanned teaming concepts that significantly enhance naval operational effectiveness.

We have successfully delivered advanced solutions to international navies, equipping surface ships, submarines, and unmanned platforms with cutting-edge technologies. Our indigenous product portfolio includes high-performance systems such as CENK Radar Systems, GÖKDENİZ Close-In Weapon System, and SMASH Remote-Controlled Weapon System family, all of which have demonstrated their reliability and effectiveness in real-world operations.

One of our most prominent recent developments is GÖKSUR Point Defense Missile System, which we unveiled at Euronaval 2024 in Paris and which received significant international attention. We successfully conducted the first test launch of GÖKSUR Vertical Launch System from a surface platform in February last year. As a critical component of Türkiye’s layered air defense architecture, known as Steel Dome, GÖKSUR also plays a vital role in protecting naval assets against a wide range of threats, including anti-ship and cruise missiles, aerial vehicles, fighter aircraft, and helicopters.

As global demand for advanced naval capabilities continues to grow, ASELSAN remains committed to delivering innovative, high-performance solutions and further expanding its presence in international maritime defense markets.

The maritime domain is moving towards greater use of autonomous capabilities - how is ASELSAN preparing for this?

The maritime domain is indeed undergoing a fundamental transformation, with autonomy becoming a key force multiplier for naval operations. At ASELSAN, we have been proactively investing in autonomous and unmanned technologies to ensure that navies can operate more effectively, persistently, and safely in increasingly complex operational environments.

On the surface domain, our growing MARLIN Unmanned Surface Vehicle family is a clear example of this vision. Built on a modular and scalable architecture, MARLIN family now includes specialized mission variants that deliver tailored capabilities without compromising flexibility. MARLIN ISR 100 is designed for persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, border security, and EEZ patrol missions, integrating advanced electro-optics, radar, and acoustic systems to provide a comprehensive maritime picture at a fraction of the cost of manned platforms.

MARLIN EW 100 focuses on electronic support and electronic attack missions, offering naval forces an unmanned stand-in electronic warfare capability that enhances force protection and enables denial of adversary situational awareness. For undersea threat detection, MARLIN ASW 100 is optimized for anti-submarine warfare missions, integrating sonar systems, sonobuoys, and dedicated ASW payloads to support submarine search and vital sea lane protection.

We have further expanded this family with MARLIN ALBATROS variant, which introduces high-speed maneuverability and swarm-ready autonomy. Designed for fast-response missions and complex multi-vessel coordination, ALBATROS provides navies with a compact and highly capable USV solution for deterrence, training, and asymmetric surface operations.

In the underwater domain, ASELSAN’s DERİNGÖZ Autonomous Underwater Vehicle family demonstrates our strong commitment to unmanned subsurface capabilities. DERİNGÖZ 100M/600 is an advanced AUV designed for demanding missions such as mine countermeasures, pipeline and offshore platform inspections, and underwater surveillance, with an operating depth of up to 600 meters. Equipped with advanced sensors including side-scan sonar, cameras, and acoustic communication systems, it enables precise data collection and real-time transmission in deep-water environments.

Complementing this capability, DERİNGÖZ 100L/300 AUV expands our underwater portfolio with a highly versatile, self-operating platform optimized for underwater exploration, surveillance, infrastructure inspection, and protection of critical assets. Its modular architecture allows mission-specific customization, while its 300-meter depth rating, extended endurance of up to 24 hours, and hybrid cabled, wireless, and acoustic communications ensure reliable and sustained underwater operations.

By continuously expanding both our unmanned surface and underwater systems, ASELSAN is addressing the growing complexity of maritime security and infrastructure protection. Our focus on autonomy, modularity, and manned–unmanned teaming enables naval forces to enhance situational awareness, reduce operational risk, and adapt rapidly to evolving threats. This approach positions ASELSAN at the forefront of the transition toward autonomous maritime operations.

How is ASELSAN leveraging breakthrough technologies such as AI and quantum computing in its operations?

At ASELSAN, we see artificial intelligence not as an optional capability for the future, but as a foundational element of modern defense systems. As defense technologies become increasingly software-defined and data-driven, our focus is on developing secure, sovereign and operationally proven AI solutions that can be trusted in the most demanding environments.

We are making significant investments in infrastructure and R&D to build our own digital backbone. This includes on-premise, military-grade AI platforms where data sovereignty and security are non-negotiable. One example is HEZARFEN, our enterprise-wide generative AI platform, which enables secure content creation, analysis and visual generation while maintaining full control over sensitive data. In parallel, platforms such as MODEL SUITE and our Custom Marketplace equip our engineers with AI-enabled development tools tailored to ASELSAN’s specific operational needs, accelerating innovation across the organization.

A key strategic priority for us is to democratize AI within ASELSAN. Through our LLM Suite and no-code and low-code tools, we empower teams across R&D, production and sustainment to develop their own intelligent applications. This approach allows AI to be embedded deeply into our daily workflows, from design and testing to deployment and lifecycle support.

Most importantly, these technologies are already delivering operational impact. AI capabilities are being integrated into command and control systems, electronic warfare platforms and decision-support architectures, enabling faster, more accurate and adaptive responses. By combining domain expertise with sovereign AI platforms, ASELSAN is not only keeping pace with breakthrough technologies, but actively shaping the future of intelligent defense systems.