Türkiye has declared that it will construct a "security umbrella" to safeguard its entire airspace from threats ranging from "very low altitude" to "very high altitude" and from "very short range" to "long range."
The Secretariat of Defence Industries (SSB) of the Presidency of Türkiye announced on Wednesday that Türkiye is in the process of constructing its own missile defence system, which will be known as the "Steel Dome."
In a video shared by the Secretariat, SSB Secretary Haluk Görgün stated, "Our National Steel Dome project will facilitate the integration of our air defence systems, sensors, and weapons into a unified network."
The project will be executed by public defence industry actors, including ASELSAN, Roketsan, and Mechanical and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE), as well as the public research institution, The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye Defence Industries Research and Development Institute (TÜBİTAK - SAGE), and it will be equipped with an artificial intelligence support system. The Secretariat of Defence Industries (SBB) declined the AFP's request for further details about the project.
"Security Umbrella"
According to the public broadcaster TRT Haber, the Steel Dome will be designed as a "security umbrella" covering the entire Turkish airspace as well as to respond to threats ranging from "very low altitude" to "very high altitude" and from "very short range" to "long range." For several years, Ankara became known for its ambitious defence projects, including drones and fighter jets.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan regularly emphasises his desire to strengthen Türkiye's defence industries with aircraft and systems developed by local companies.
In February, Erdoğan stated that "the projects we initiated years ago are now transforming into planes, tanks, ships, missiles, and rockets that are a source of pride for us all. Türkiye is now creating a legend in the defence industry in the most literal sense."