ASELSAN has announced the country’s largest defense industry investment as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. The milestone includes the groundbreaking of the Oğulbey Technology Base, the opening of 14 new production and R&D facilities, and the delivery of critical Steel Dome systems to the Turkish Armed Forces.
The event, held at ASELSAN’s Gölbaşı Technology Base under the theme “Foundations for the Next 50 Years”, gathered Türkiye’s top leadership. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, and Secretary of Defense Industries Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün joined ambassadors, government officials, and global defense executives to witness the unveiling of ASELSAN’s future vision.
Oğulbey Technology Base: Shaping the Next 50 Years
At the ceremony, President Erdoğan laid the foundation for the Oğulbey Technology Base, a USD 1.5 billion investment spanning 6.5 million square meters—an area equivalent to 900 football stadiums. The new site will be ASELSAN’s largest and serve as the backbone of its multi-layered integrated air and missile defense system, Steel Dome.
“This investment marks the single largest defense industry investment in our Republic’s history and the largest integrated air defense facility in Europe,” Erdoğan said, highlighting ASELSAN’s central role in shaping Türkiye’s defense ecosystem.
Steel Dome Deliveries Strengthen National Security
As part of the ceremony, ASELSAN delivered 47 components of the Steel Dome architecture worth USD 460 million. These included advanced air defense, electronic warfare, and radar systems such as SİPER, HİSAR, KORKUT, ALP, and PUHU. The Steel Dome aims to provide Türkiye with a robust, multi-layered defense structure to secure its national airspace.
Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler emphasized that the Steel Dome deliveries would “enhance the Turkish Armed Forces’ mobility and operational effectiveness, ensuring top-level national security”.
Expanding Capacity with New Production and R&D Facilities
In addition, ASELSAN inaugurated 14 new facilities worth USD 280 million, including a Radar Production and Integration Facility, Electro-Optic FLIR Systems Production Facility, Guided Munitions Design Center, and Avionics Integration Hangar. These projects will increase ASELSAN’s production capacity by 40% while boosting R&D and creating new opportunities for highly skilled employment.
Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, Secretary of Defense Industries, noted: “These investments mark a strategic leap forward for Türkiye’s defense industry, reinforcing technological independence and expanding global competitiveness”.
A Global Technology Powerhouse
ASELSAN President & CEO Ahmet Akyol reflected on the company’s journey since its founding:
“Fifty years ago, ASELSAN was established with the dream of achieving what had never been done in Türkiye. Today, we proudly stand among the world’s leading players in air defense, radar, electronic warfare, and smart munitions. With these new investments, we are advancing toward our goal of transforming ASELSAN into a global technology powerhouse”.
