Shield Product 1

SİPER Product-1 is Türkiye’s national air defense system developed to provide high-altitude and long-range effective defense against aerial and missile threats. The project, carried out through the collaboration of ASELSAN, ROKETSAN and TÜBİTAK SAGE, represents a strategic indicator of Türkiye’s indigenous defense industry capacity. As a key component of the multi-layered air defense strategy led by the Ministry of National Defense, the system aims to enhance deterrence in Türkiye’s airspace and reduce external dependency.

Development and Delivery Process

The SİPER system is a national project developed and implemented in accordance with Türkiye’s multi-layered air defense concept. The first delivery of this strategic system was completed on 28 October 2023, and SİPER Product-1 was officially incorporated into the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces. As of July 2025, the serial production acceptance tests of the system have been successfully completed, and it has reached full operational readiness.

System Components

SİPER Product-1 is a multi-component air defense system capable of integrating detection, tracking, targeting and engagement processes. The system consists of the following primary subsystems:

• Long-Range Radar and Electro-Optical Sensors – ASELSAN
• Command and Control Center – ASELSAN
• Missile Launch System – ROKETSAN
• Missile Guidance and Aerodynamics – TÜBİTAK SAGE

The command and control, radar and communication infrastructure has been developed by ASELSAN and is responsible for the complete process of target detection, tracking, identification and engagement decision-making. The missile launch system and munitions have been produced through the collaboration of ROKETSAN and TÜBİTAK SAGE. This architecture enables SİPER Product-1 to deliver an integrated and highly effective air defense solution against long-range threats.

Technical Specifications

The SİPER Product-1 air defense system serves as Türkiye’s indigenous solution against long-range and high-altitude aerial threats and operates at the upper tier of the multi-layered air defense architecture. The system provides high-efficiency engagement and defense capabilities with the following technical characteristics:

• Maximum Effective Range: 100+ kilometers
• Maximum Engagement Altitude: 20+ kilometers
• Missile Type: Solid-fueled, active radar-guided
• Angular Coverage: 360°
• Launch Capability: Slant launch capability
• Guidance System: Inertial Navigation System (INS) with GPS support and radar seeker head combination
• Number of Engageable Missiles per Battery: 20
• Engagement Capability: Simultaneous engagement of multiple targets
• Target Types: Fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
• Mobility: Land-based platform with high mobility

With these capabilities, SİPER Product-1 makes a strategic contribution to Türkiye’s air defense capacity in terms of both deterrence and effective defense.

SİPER Product-1 (Anadolu Agency)

Operational Capability

Through its integrated radar systems, SİPER Product-1 provides a 360° angular coverage to detect and track targets with high accuracy. The system automatically and securely identifies airborne elements using Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) capability.

In addition, SİPER operates with NATO-standard data link protocols, enabling real-time information sharing across multiple platforms. This ensures a high level of interoperability with both national and allied forces.

The system is also designed to maintain operational capability in electronic warfare (EW) environments, equipped with a resilient infrastructure resistant to threats such as signal jamming, deception and interference.

Strategic Importance

The SİPER project holds a strategic position in line with Türkiye’s objectives of reducing dependency on imports and enhancing indigenous national defense industry capacity. With the operational deployment of SİPER Product-1, Türkiye has joined the limited group of countries possessing long-range air defense capability. This milestone is regarded not only as a critical enhancement of military deterrence but also as a pivotal threshold in terms of technological independence and regional power projection.