Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday unveiled the Steel Dome integrated air defense system.
Mr. Erdogan described the implementation of Steel Dome as a “watershed” moment for the country, adding that it is “ushering in a new era for our beloved Turkey.”
“No country that cannot develop its own radar and air defense system can look to its future with confidence in the face of current security challenges, especially in our region,” he said at an event hosted by Turkish defense company Aselsan.
The project, which is not fully operational, took just over a year to complete. The Erdogan government announced plans to build the integrated air shield last August. Total cost estimates for the project are difficult to confirm, but Mr. Erdogan said the latest estimate is about $460 million.
Steel Dome integrates sea- and land-based air defense systems with a network of next-generation sensors to protect against missiles and other threats.
Mr. Erdogan also used Wednesday’s event to promote a new military production facility that is set to open in 2026. The president said the new facility is the first step in making Turkey self-reliant.
“In the next 50 years, Turkey will be a country that not only meets its own needs but also leads the world with its technology,” he said.
Turkey has steadily increased its defense spending since the 1970s, when it was hit with an arms embargo by the U.S. after the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Additionally, recent regional conflicts in Syria, Iran and Israel have pushed Ankara to more openly pursue defense technology.
The Steel Dome is modeled after Israel’s Iron Dome system, which has served as the inspiration for President Trump’s Golden Dome project. Israel’s system helped defend against the barrage of missiles and drones launched by Iran during the 12-day air war in June.
However, Iron Dome focuses on short-range threats and relies on a larger network of defensive technologies to neutralize larger threats.
