Turkey unveils plans for ‘Steel Dome’ air defense system

Turkey plans to develop a multi-layered air defense system, modeled after Israel's renowned Iron Dome, and code-named Steel Dome.

Local media reported that the decision was made during a meeting of the country's Defense Industry Executive Committee at the presidential palace in Ankara on Tuesday, chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

According to a statement from the Turkish Presidency, the Steel Dome program will be developed using domestic resources and on a national scale. It will ensure that multiple layers of air defense systems, sensors, and weapons work together seamlessly in a networked structure. This integration will enable real-time situational awareness to be provided to operations centers and decision-makers, supported by artificial intelligence (AI).

The meeting also addressed the development of KAAN, Turkey's first national combat aircraft,...