As Middle Eastern countries strive to enhance their air and missile defense capabilities amidst escalating regional conflicts, Turkey announced today the development of a high-tech layered defense system called Steel Dome (Çelik Kubbe in Turkish) to rival Israel’s Iron Dome.
The „security umbrella” of Steel Dome is a network-centric air defense system featuring artificial intelligence capabilities and is designed to protect Turkey’s airspace from threats ranging from “very low altitude to very high altitude” and “very short range to long range,” according to a statement from the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB).
The Steel Dome is being developed by Turkish companies Aselsan, Roketsan, SAGE, and the Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE), and is coordinated by the Presidency of Defense Industries, as stated by Aselsan CEO Ahmet Akyol.
“The Steel Dome, which can be described as a ‘system of systems,’ will neutralize all types of threats in our airspace at every altitude and range. It will augment the capabilities of our heroic Armed Forces,” Akyol tweeted on Wednesday. Israel’s renowned Iron Dome acts as merely one layer among three air defense systems, including the Arrow high-altitude defense system and the medium-range David’s Sling. Turkish defense expert Can Kasapoglu told Breaking Defense that the Steel Dome represents a layered architecture of air and missile defense, further enhanced by electronic warfare capabilities.
“It is a holistic defensive architecture that integrates all sensors and best shooters, rather than relying on a single weapon system,” said Kasapoglu, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. He noted that this layered missile defense initiative arises “in response to the increase in mixed strike packages involving drones and various missiles. The Russo-Ukrainian War has served as a breeding ground for these strike CONOPS [Concept of Operations].”
A graphic shared by Akyol on X illustrates various air defense systems that could be integrated into the Steel Dome, including HiSAR, SiPER, and GURZ, all interconnected through the RADNET radar link management system and coordinated through the HAKiM Air command and control system. This representation also indicates that the system will be linked to satellites via the domestically developed T-link.
The system is further expected to counter drone threats using the iHTAR jammer, GOHBERK laser, and ALKA jammer and laser. Aselsan did not provide additional comments by the time of publication.
This announcement comes as the Middle East grapples with conflicts between Iran and its allies on one side and Israel on the other, where missile defense has proven vital for the protection of civilians and national assets. For instance, on April 13, Iran launched a barrage of 300 missiles and drones toward Israel, most of which were intercepted by U.S., Israeli, and Jordanian air defenses, resulting in minimal damage.
While Iron Dome has been operational for decades and has incorporated counter-drone capabilities in recent conflicts, Steel Dome remains a concept that requires testing, validation, and operational deployment. However, if these phases are successfully completed, it could garner interest from various Arab and Gulf nations seeking to secure their airspace against diverse threats.
