Turkey deploys its 'Steel Dome' air defense system
Turkish defense contractor Aselsan began developing the system a year ago in August to support the nation's effort to deploy a multi-layered air defense system that is similar to Israel's Iron Dome, i24 News reported.
"Today, we are providing our army with the Steel Dome system, consisting of 47 vehicles worth $460 million," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
The Steel Dome "will inspire confidence in friends and fear in enemies," Erdogan added.
The mobile air defense system is designed to detect and destroy incoming aerial threats and highlight Turkey's ability to design and produce advanced defensive systems.
The Steel Dome combines sea- and land-based defense platforms and radar systems within a single network to detect and intercept aerial weapons systems.
"Unless a country can develop its own radar and air defense system, it cannot look to its future with confidence," Erdogan said.
The Turkish president also announced the nation is investing $1.5 billion to build a defensive technology base that is Turkey's single largest investment in its national defense capabilities.
He said its first phase should be active by mid-2026, and the project will make Turkey a "global player in defense systems."
The U.S. Senate last month confirmed Space Force Gen. Mike Guetlein at the United States' overseer of its planned $175 billion Golden Dome air defense system.
The system would be designed to detect and intercept long-range missiles and might be deployed before President Donald Trump completes his second term in the White House.
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