“Laying the Foundations for the Next 50 Years” is an event held on August 27, 2025, at the ASELSAN Gölbaşı Campus in Ankara, encompassing the delivery of the Çelik Kubbe air defense systems, the inauguration of 14 new ASELSAN facilities, and the groundbreaking ceremony for the Oğulbey Technology Base. The ceremony coincided with ASELSAN’s 50th anniversary and has been recorded as one of Türkiye’s largest investments in defense technology.
The event was attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, President of the Presidency of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün, ASELSAN executives, the command staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, and senior representatives of defense companies. During the program, the Çelik Kubbe systems were demonstrated on-site, production capacity was targeted for expansion through the newly inaugurated facilities, and the first concrete was poured for the Oğulbey Technology Base, valued at $1.5 billion.
Çelik Kubbe Deliveries
The Çelik Kubbe systems delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces at the ceremony consist of 47 vehicles with a total value exceeding $460 million. These deliveries include air defense, radar, and electronic warfare systems across various categories. According to information provided by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, the following components have been activated:
- SİPER Long-Range Air Defense System: 1 system with 10 associated vehicles
- HİSAR Medium-Range Air Defense Systems: 3 systems with 21 vehicles
- KORKUT Short-Range Air Defense Systems: Deployed to provide close-in protection
- ALP-300G and 100G Radar Systems: Deployed for early warning and target detection
- PUHU Electronic Warfare Systems: 7 units delivered
- REDET Electronic Warfare Systems: 2 units added to inventory
Çelik Kubbe is not merely a collection of individual systems but is built on a “system of systems” architecture. This structure enables integrated operation of air defense systems, radars, and electronic warfare elements across different ranges. ASELSAN-developed artificial intelligence-assisted command and control software ensures synchronized operation of these components. Thanks to this software, hundreds of air defense systems can function as a single unified system. The deployed elements combine early warning, radar surveillance, long- and medium-range missile defense, close-in air defense, and electronic warfare capabilities under one umbrella.
Inauguration of New Facilities
As part of the ceremony, 14 new ASELSAN facilities with a total investment of $280 million were inaugurated. These facilities are expected to increase production capacity in defense technologies by 40 percent and support advanced engineering infrastructure. The newly inaugurated facilities include:
- Air Defense Systems Design Office
- Radar Production and Integration Facility
- Additional Radar Production Facility
- Advanced Engineering Materials R&D Facility
- Additional Electro-Optic FLIR Systems Production Facility
- Electro-Optic Systems Design Office
- Safir Production Facility
- Guided Munitions Systems Design and Integration Facility
- Additional Avionics Systems Production Facility
- Helicopter Avionics Systems Integration Hangar
- ASELSANNET HAB Production Facility
- Teknopark Istanbul R&D Center
- Training and Events Center
- Other complementary production and development facilities
With the commissioning of these facilities, a 23,000-square-meter clean room and laboratory infrastructure has been established, providing new capabilities for advanced testing and integration processes. These investments are projected to create approximately 4,000 additional high-quality jobs and enable skilled engineers and technicians to participate in defense industry projects.
President Erdoğan emphasized that these facilities are not merely production sites but will also function as strategic innovation centers. Among the inaugurated facilities are infrastructures designed to enhance R&D and production capacity in radar, air defense, electro-optic systems, advanced engineering materials, and guided munitions.
Oğulbey Technology Base Groundbreaking
The third major component of the ceremony was the groundbreaking of the Oğulbey Technology Base, planned for construction on a 6,500-dönüm site. The projected investment for this new campus is $1.5 billion. The project holds the distinction of being the largest single defense industry investment in the history of the Republic.
The Oğulbey Technology Base is planned as Europe’s largest integrated air defense facility. It is reported that the campus will feature 585,000 square meters of enclosed space, including 132,000 square meters of clean rooms, laboratories, and production areas. The first phase of the facility is targeted for operational commissioning by mid-2026.
The base will host research and development activities shaping the future of defense technologies. Key areas to be developed include command and control systems, quantum technologies, AI-based defense algorithms, and advanced communication networks. Upon full completion, the new campus is projected to provide employment for 8,000 people.
President Erdoğan noted that ASELSAN’s current Gölbaşı Campus had become fully occupied within 10 years and stated that Oğulbey will serve as the center guiding ASELSAN’s second 50 years. Defense Industries President Haluk Görgün described the base not merely as a production site but as a strategic hub for intellectual development and innovation.
Speeches and Statements
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered a speech at the “Laying the Foundations for the Next 50 Years” ceremony, which included the Çelik Kubbe Deliveries, Facility Inaugurations, and Oğulbey Technology Base Groundbreaking at the ASELSAN Gölbaşı Campus.
At the outset of his address, Erdoğan emphasized that on this historic day, ASELSAN represented not only a company but also a new phase in the nation’s journey toward independence, marked by hard work, determination, and resolve. “I believe all these steps will bring joy to the souls of our martyrs. I pray that they are blessed and auspicious for ASELSAN, our defense industry, and the Turkish Armed Forces. On this occasion, I express my gratitude to everyone who, since its founding, has contributed under the ASELSAN banner to Türkiye’s defense industry.” He also thanked the ASELSAN family, from managers to engineers, for their dedication.
President Erdoğan continued: “Today, we first present to our heroic armed forces 47 vehicles valued at $460 million—systems that will inspire confidence among our friends and fear among our adversaries. Recent conflicts in our region have clearly demonstrated the critical importance of air defense and radar systems. We are fully aware that we have no luxury of leaving our security to chance. No country that cannot develop its own radar systems, air defense capabilities, and electronic warfare skills can, I say clearly and openly, confidently look to its future, especially in our region.”
“The fine line between being at the table and being on the menu is defined by your air defense and offensive capabilities. With this understanding, the construction and revitalization system we began before taking necessary steps is making serious progress. Despite numerous obstacles, we have achieved remarkable progress in a very short time. Today’s deliveries are the most concrete proof that our struggle has not been in vain.”
Referring to the opportunity to inspect the systems on-site before the ceremony, he said: “I wish to express openly that I have witnessed what amounts to a body display. As a member of this nation, I felt immense pride in our products.”
Erdoğan highlighted that the delivery of one SİPER long-range air defense system with its 10 associated vehicles marks a turning point in Türkiye’s air defense. He underscored that the three HİSAR medium-range air defense systems and their 21 vehicles will further strengthen deterrence at medium ranges.
“With the KORKUT air defense system, our early warning radars will serve as our eyes and ears on the battlefield. The seven PUHU and two REDET electronic warfare systems will elevate our country to a higher league in this domain. I sincerely congratulate all those who contributed. We will not stop here; we will continue developing and integrating more systems with new capabilities. With the ‘system of systems’ Çelik Kubbe, we are entering a new class in air defense.”
Erdoğan noted that ASELSAN plays another critical role in Çelik Kubbe: developing the AI-assisted command and control software that enables real-time communication and integrated operation of all battlefield systems. Thanks to this software, which forms the backbone of Çelik Kubbe, hundreds of air defense systems on the battlefield will operate as a single unified system.
Erdoğan emphasized that serial production is among the top priorities in defense industry, stressing that high-tech products must be manufactured faster, more efficiently, and in higher volumes. He expressed satisfaction with the recent focus ASELSAN and other defense companies have placed on this issue, stating:
“Today, with the inauguration of 14 facilities valued at $280 million, we significantly increase our production capacity. Among the newly commissioned facilities are an air defense systems design office, a radar production and integration facility, an advanced engineering materials R&D facility, an electro-optic systems design office, a guided munitions systems facility, the Teknopark Istanbul R&D Center, and many other critical infrastructures. These facilities will provide qualified employment for approximately 4,000 people and open new work areas for our young engineers. I pray that these endeavors are blessed and auspicious.
Today, we also lay the foundation for a massive investment that will build our future. Today, we pour the first concrete for a monumental campus worthy of ASELSAN’s second 50 years. The Oğulbey Technology Base, with its $1.5 billion investment, will be one of the largest industrial investments in recent years.”
President Erdoğan emphasized that this investment is the largest single defense industry project in the history of the Republic and continued: “This will also be Europe’s largest integrated air defense facility. I wish to specifically highlight this: since ASELSAN is the very heart of our defense industry, this investment will be a critical threshold for the entire sector. Look at the Gölbaşı Campus we are currently in—it spans 800 dönüm. In 2015, during ASELSAN’s 40th anniversary, I had the honor of inaugurating its first facility. At that time, colleagues informed me we had acquired land sufficient to meet at least a 30-year growth plan. In just 10 years, our defense industry and ASELSAN have grown so rapidly that today the entire campus is fully occupied. We have therefore taken the necessary steps with relevant institutions to establish a new campus. With a vision befitting the Türkiye Century, we have allocated 6,500 dönüm—larger than 900 football fields—to ASELSAN.”
Erdoğan emphasized that they do not produce empty rhetoric but deliver results, stating that a second ASELSAN has now been born here, and continued:
“The Oğulbey Technology Base, with its 585,000 square meters of enclosed space and 132,000 square meters of clean rooms, laboratories, and production areas, will be one of the most advanced defense technology centers in the region. This investment will more than double ASELSAN’s serial production capacity, positioning our country not only as a regional leader but also as a global pioneer. I will closely follow all efforts to complete this technology base as soon as possible. Insha’Allah, we will commission the first facility by mid-2026 with intense effort. Of course, the work here is not about concrete, steel, or cement. The work here is about technology, R&D, design, and production. These facilities will provide our youth with an environment to pursue their dreams and work on the highest technologies. Our general manager mentioned a very encouraging point in his speech: the number of engineers returning to ASELSAN from abroad is increasing. This is precisely the valuable side of investing in technology. It is not just about money—it is about people, people, people. While a segment led by the main opposition seeks to instill hopelessness, pessimism, and even hatred of their own country in our brilliant youth, we are offering our young people entirely new horizons. While some irresponsibly call Turkish youth to the streets for boycotts and even violence, we are calling them to the arenas as Teknofest youth.”
Erdoğan underscored that he sees young people as pioneers of the national technology initiative: “Regardless of their views, beliefs, or roots, we invite all our young people within our borders and abroad to join together in building Türkiye’s prosperous future with our world-class companies.”
Erdoğan noted that ASELSAN is not merely a company but a symbol of a legendary journey deeply etched in the memory of the nation, recalling the painful lessons of the 1974 Cyprus Peace Operation exactly 50 years ago.
President Erdoğan said: “On that day, we saw how a nation unable to produce its own weapons and communication systems paid a heavy price. That day, a spark ignited in the conscience of our nation, and that spark transformed into a great torch with the founding of ASELSAN in 1975.”
Erdoğan highlighted that the modest step taken 50 years ago by a handful of idealistic engineers has today become 11 research and development centers, over 12,500 employees, and one of the world’s 10 fastest-growing defense industry companies. He also emphasized that 80 percent or more of the Turkish Armed Forces’ needs are now met by domestic systems.
Erdoğan concluded his speech by emphasizing promising developments in Türkiye and their continuation: “The facilities we inaugurated today, the systems we delivered, and the foundation we laid for the Oğulbey Technology Base are undoubtedly among the most valuable legacies we leave to Türkiye’s future. Fifty years ago, these capabilities were unimaginable; today, our engineers, workers, and own children have turned them into reality. Insha’Allah, in the next 50 years, Türkiye will not only meet its own needs but will lead the world with its technology.
I believe ASELSAN will be one of the institutions contributing the most on this path. I pray that the Çelik Kubbe deliveries, our inaugurations, and the new Oğulbey Campus bring blessings to our country. I thank the Ministry of National Defense, the Presidency of Defense Industries, ASELSAN, and all our institutions for their efforts. I sincerely congratulate the ASELSAN management and our engineers and technicians for the vision they have shown befitting the Türkiye Century, and I wish you many more 50-year milestones.”
Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler
Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, in his speech at the ceremony, expressed unparalleled joy at realizing valuable projects that enhance the strength of the country and its heroic armed forces and showcase the remarkable level achieved by the defense industry.
Güler stated that ASELSAN’s 50-year journey, initiated with great ideals to meet defense needs amid embargoes half a century ago, has written a success story that has elevated Türkiye’s defense industry beyond global standards. He emphasized that with the commissioning of the new technology base and facilities, ASELSAN’s growth will accelerate further, strengthening its international competitiveness.
Güler noted that in recent years, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s strategic vision and strong leadership, Türkiye has made significant advances in the defense industry, adding: “These investments have not only increased our production capacity but also strengthened our exports and solidified our position in the global market. The Çelik Kubbe Project is one of the most critical of these advances. The systems delivered under the Çelik Kubbe Project will further enhance the deterrence and effectiveness of the Turkish Armed Forces with their high mobility and operational capabilities, ensuring our security at the highest level.
When considering recent conflicts and wars in our immediate neighborhood, the indispensable nature of a strong and integrated air defense system for national survival has become even clearer. Thank God, Türkiye is rapidly implementing projects to ensure its air defense security using its own capabilities and expertise. Our goal is to elevate this proud level to the highest possible standards. In this framework and in line with our ‘Türkiye Century’ vision, we will continue working with great enthusiasm and determination until Türkiye becomes one of the world’s best in defense industry.”
Güler wished blessings upon the Çelik Kubbe components and the critically important facilities whose foundations were laid, concluding his speech: “I extend my highest appreciation to ASELSAN’s distinguished and valuable personnel. On this occasion, I honor with reverence and gratitude the memory of Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his comrades, our beloved martyrs, and offer my respect and thanks to the families of our heroic veterans and martyrs.”
President of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün
Haluk Görgün, President of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), stated in his speech that the domestic production rate in the defense industry has reached 83 percent, and a user network has been established in 185 countries with annual exports nearing $7.5 billion. Görgün emphasized that over 3,500 companies and nearly 100,000 employees are working on more than 1,380 projects, creating an ecosystem with a project volume exceeding $100 billion.
Görgün noted that the 47 defense systems delivered, valued at over $460 million, have enhanced strategic deterrence: “The systems we delivered—the HİSAR O 100 and SİPER Air Defense Systems, ALP 300-G and 100-G Radar Systems, PUHU and REDET Electronic Warfare Systems, and KORKUT Short-Range Air Defense Vehicles—bear the signature of Turkish engineering. They not only strengthen the shoulders of our security forces on the battlefield but also bolster the hearts of our nation.”
Görgün emphasized that the delivered Çelik Kubbe components represent not only technological advancement but also a strategic posture. He stated that these systems, surpassing NATO standards in domestic production rate, integration capability, and operational agility, embody the pride of a nation protecting its own skies with systems produced by its own children.
Görgün expressed pride in inaugurating 14 new ASELSAN facilities with a total investment exceeding $280 million and covering more than 165,000 square meters of enclosed space. He noted that these facilities will increase ASELSAN’s production capacity by 40 percent, adding:
“An additional 4,000 jobs will be created. Advanced testing and integration processes will be supported by a 23,000-square-meter clean room and laboratory infrastructure. Each of the newly inaugurated facilities is a vital link in enhancing the value-added technology of Türkiye’s defense industry. It is accurate to define these structures not merely as production centers but as strategic innovation centers. The Oğulbey Technology Base we are breaking ground on today will be a pioneering center for developing future command and control systems, advanced communication networks, quantum technologies, and AI-based defense algorithms. With a total investment of $1.5 billion, this new base will provide employment for 8,000 people. Here, we will not only produce technology but also the systems of the future. Here, we will not only build engineering solutions but also strategic intellect. Oğulbey will be a base for next-generation engineering solutions and a strategic leap for Türkiye’s technological advancement.”
Görgün said they have collectively witnessed the engineering steps taken toward the future, the investments made in defense infrastructure, and the pride of domestic and national production, stating that this is not merely the pride of a sector but the collective pride of a nation, and concluded:
“On this occasion, I extend my gratitude first to our President, who has always guided us with his strategic vision and decisive leadership, to the esteemed ASELSAN family who contributed to these projects, to our Presidency personnel, to our contractors, and to all our engineers, technicians, and experts who work day and night with love for the homeland. Mr. President, with over 3,500 companies and 100,000 defense industry workers working tirelessly day and night, the Türkiye Century will be the century of Turkish engineering. The defense industry will be the backbone of this century.”
ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol
ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol, in his speech at the ceremony, stated that ASELSAN’s story is the story of a nation taking courageous steps from dream to reality and the realized dream of the Turkish people.
Akyol highlighted ASELSAN’s presence in the global league across many critical technologies—from air defense to radar, electronic warfare to communications, smart munitions to electro-optics—and stated that this accumulated expertise has now taken shape in the “Çelik Kubbe” architecture.
Akyol pointed to turning points that changed the course of history, recalling the 2004 decisions of the Defense Industry Implementation Committee under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s leadership as having altered Türkiye’s destiny.
Akyol underscored that every critical milestone ASELSAN has surpassed in the last 20 years is the result of the strategic posture Erdoğan outlined on that day: “Today, we are advancing further with three major initiatives built upon the torch you lit that day. First, under Çelik Kubbe, we are delivering to our glorious armed forces 47 air defense, radar, and electronic warfare systems. These deliveries, merely a beginning, will make our sky homeland safer. We will continue working day and night to produce more of these systems, acquire new capabilities, and equip our heroic armed forces with them. On this occasion, I thank all our stakeholders, beginning with ROKETSAN and TÜBİTAK.”
Akyol noted that images captured by the ASELFLIR-600, the world’s best camera on the AKINCI UCAV, were continuously broadcast throughout the ceremony.
Akyol thanked Baykar for working alongside ASELSAN under difficult battlefield conditions and on joyous occasions like this: “Second, today we celebrate the joy of inaugurating 14 new facilities that increase our serial production capacity by 40 percent. Third, and most historically, we are enthusiastically launching the $1.5 billion investment in our new Oğulbey campus spanning 6,500 dönüm.”
Akyol emphasized that ASELSAN is progressing with firm steps toward becoming a global technology giant, concluding his speech: “For the past two years, we have been among the world’s 10 fastest-growing defense companies. With our presence in 25 countries—from Chile to Indonesia and South Africa to Poland—we have made export-led growth our primary priority. In the first six months of this year, we signed export contracts worth $1.3 billion, surpassing last year’s total. We are rising not only through engineering strength but also through financial performance. This year, we became the most valuable company on the Borsa Istanbul. This year, the number of engineers returning to ASELSAN from abroad has doubled the number leaving. This trend is the most concrete example of how our youth have embraced the National Technology Initiative. With our young and dynamic team and under your leadership, we are ready and determined to leave our mark on the Türkiye Century.”
Ceremony Details
The “Laying the Foundations for the Next 50 Years” ceremony saw broad participation. In addition to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, attendees included Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır, President of the Presidency of Defense Industries Prof. Dr. Haluk Görgün, Chief of the General Staff General Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu, MİT Director İbrahim Kalın, President of Religious Affairs Prof. Dr. Ali Erbaş, ASELSAN Board Chairman Prof. Dr. Ercümend Arvas, and Baykar General Manager Haluk Bayraktar. Commanders, TSKGV representatives, and senior executives of defense industry companies also attended the event.
The ceremony began with President Erdoğan inspecting the Çelik Kubbe components on-site. Erdoğan received information about the 47-vehicle systems from Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, President of Defense Industries Haluk Görgün, and ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol, and posed for commemorative photographs in front of the systems. Subsequently, a sapling planted in the ASELSAN Botanical Garden on behalf of the President was watered, and the gathering moved to the ceremony area.
During the ceremony, ASELSAN’s 50th-anniversary film and a promotional video for the new facilities were screened, followed by a prayer delivered by President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş. As part of the program, President Erdoğan was presented with a ceremonial helmet engraved with Çelik Kubbe components on brass and a unique art piece made of steel. Subsequently, President Erdoğan and his delegation performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Oğulbey Technology Base and cut the ribbons for the newly inaugurated facilities.
International Reactions
The ceremony and the unveiling of the Çelik Kubbe systems received extensive coverage in the international press.
U.S. Press: Associated Press announced President Erdoğan’s speech at ASELSAN facilities under the headline “Erdoğan Unveils Çelik Kubbe Air Defense System.” Al-Monitor highlighted the $460 million initial delivery. Bloomberg used the headline “Turkey Unveils $1.5 Billion Research Facility to Strengthen Defense Capabilities,” emphasizing the scale of investment in the Oğulbey Technology Base. United Press International wrote that the system demonstrates Türkiye’s capability to develop advanced defense systems.
European Press: Reuters reported that the $1.5 billion new investment will more than double Türkiye’s production capacity and that the Oğulbey Technology Base will be Europe’s largest integrated air defense facility. The Independent wrote that the system marks a turning point for national defense. Der Spiegel noted that Çelik Kubbe represents a strategic threshold for Türkiye.
Middle Eastern Press: Al Jazeera described Çelik Kubbe as a historic step elevating Türkiye to a new level in air defense. Al Araby al-Jadeed recorded that the project’s first phase cost $460 million and embodies a strategic shift. Al Khaleej wrote that Türkiye has clearly declared its goal of becoming a global defense player. Lebanon’s El-Ahbar portrayed the delivery as a “historic success.” En-Nahar highlighted the system’s integration into the armed forces.
Israeli Press: Yediot Ahranot noted that Türkiye has developed an air defense system similar to Israel’s Iron Dome. i24 News reported that Çelik Kubbe will position Türkiye as a global actor in defense.
Asian Press: China’s Xinhua Agency used the headline “Turkey Delivers Components of Indigenous Çelik Kubbe Air Defense System.” Nikkei drew attention to large-scale investments by Türkiye’s defense giants. Bangladesh’s United News of Bangladesh reported Erdoğan’s statement that in the next 50 years, Türkiye will not only meet its own needs but also lead the world.
Balkan Press: Bulgaria’s State Agency BTA reported on the event using sources from Anadolu Agency. Greece’s ERT covered Erdoğan’s characterization of Çelik Kubbe as a turning point in defense industry. Montenegro’s CDM noted that the system is designed to counter threats at various altitudes. Serbia’s Blic emphasized that the system was produced using Türkiye’s domestic capabilities. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Klix highlighted Erdoğan’s statement that “it serves our friends.” Croatia’s Index wrote that Çelik Kubbe has enhanced Türkiye’s defense capacity.
