Aselsan

Aselsan A.Ş. is a Turkish defense-technology and military-electronics company headquartered at the Macunköy facilities in Ankara. Its Turkish name, Askerî Elektronik Sanayi A.Ş., translates broadly as Military Electronic Industries. The company designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, tests, and supports advanced systems for land, naval, air, space, security, transportation, energy, and industrial applications, although defense remains its central business. It is one of the principal contractors serving the Turkish Armed Forces and has also developed an expanding international customer and subsidiary network. Aselsan was established in 1975 by the Turkish Army Foundation in the aftermath of the United States arms embargo imposed on Turkey following the 1974 Cyprus conflict. The founding objective was to strengthen Turkey’s domestic capability in military communications and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. M. Hacim Kamoy served as the company’s first chief executive. After several years of infrastructure development and investment, Aselsan began production at its Macunköy facilities in Ankara in early 1979. From that point onward, the company broadened its portfolio through in-house research and development, locally trained engineering personnel, and cooperation with Turkish universities and research institutions. The company’s activities are organized around five principal business sectors. Communication and Information Technologies covers military and professional communications, tactical networking, radios, field communications, and related equipment. Microelectronics, Guidance and Electro-Optics develops hybrid microelectronic circuits, night-vision systems, thermal imaging, laser rangefinders and designators, inertial-navigation equipment, and related sensing technologies. Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems focuses on surveillance and tracking radars, electronic-support and electronic-attack systems, antennas, microwave power modules, and associated software. Defense Systems Technologies develops command-and-control, weapon, air-defense, and integrated combat systems. Transportation, Security, Energy and Automation Systems applies the company’s engineering capabilities to civil-security, transportation, energy, automation, and infrastructure projects. Aselsan’s portfolio includes tactical and professional radios, command-and-control systems, radar families, electronic-warfare systems, electro-optical sights, remotely operated weapon stations, unmanned air, ground, and maritime vehicles, naval combat systems, air-defense systems, ammunition technologies, and countermeasure equipment. Notable systems and families include KORAL and PUHU electronic-warfare systems; KALKAN, ALP, and EIRS radar systems; ASELPOD targeting equipment; KORKUT, GÖKDENİZ, Hisar, and related air-defense technologies; TASMUS tactical communications; and unmanned systems such as the Albatros, KAPLAN, Serçe, UKAP, and various underwater and surface vehicles. The company has invested substantially in specialized production and test infrastructure. Its Radar and Electronic Warfare Technology Center in Gölbaşı, Ankara, supports the design, production, testing, and logistics of radar and electronic-warfare equipment. In 2014, Aselsan and Bilkent University established a commercial chip factory, which began operating in 2017 with an initial focus on gallium-nitride technologies used in radar and missile systems. In 2022, Aselsan opened an Air Defense Test and Integration Center in Ankara. In 2025 it announced further planned investments in photon detectors, nanotechnology, radar production, air-defense production and testing, and smart ammunition. Internationally, Aselsan has established or operates associated companies in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Ukraine, and has explored expansion in South Africa. Aselsan Baku, founded in 1998, was its first foreign company and has been involved in sales, maintenance, repair, and production of military and civil handheld radios. The company’s overseas activities support localization, customer service, system integration, and regional market access. Aselsan remains closely linked to Turkey’s defense-industrial policy and the Turkish Armed Forces Foundation, which is its major shareholder and institutional owner. Its strategic role has expanded as Turkey has pursued indigenous capabilities in communications, sensors, air defense, precision weapons, electronic warfare, and unmanned systems. The company’s recent investment and delivery announcements indicate an effort to increase production capacity and support large national programs, including the Steel Dome integrated air-defense initiative.

Aselsan was created in 1975 by the Turkish Army Foundation after the United States imposed an arms embargo on Turkey following the 1974 Cyprus conflict. The company represented an effort to establish a domestic source of military communications and electronics at a time when Turkey depended heavily on foreign defense suppliers. M. Hacim Kamoy was Aselsan’s first chief executive. During its initial years, Aselsan concentrated on building industrial, engineering, and production capabilities. After completing early investments and establishing the required infrastructure, it began manufacturing at the Macunköy facilities in Ankara in early 1979. The company subsequently developed a model based on domestic research and development, Turkish engineering education, and collaboration with universities and other national research institutions. This approach gradually expanded Aselsan beyond communications into sensors, command systems, electronic warfare, electro-optics, radar, naval systems, and air defense. The company’s organization evolved into five business sectors: Communication and Information Technologies; Microelectronics, Guidance and Electro-Optics; Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems; Defense Systems Technologies; and Transportation, Security, Energy and Automation Systems. Its facilities use military-standard engineering and production methods, including computer-aided design, engineering, and manufacturing, as well as surface-mount electronics, multilayer and flexible circuit-board production, mechanical manufacturing, system integration, and testing. Aselsan expanded its technology base through specialist facilities. In December 2014, it and Bilkent University jointly established Turkey’s first commercial chip factory. The facility began operating in 2017 and initially focused on gallium-nitride devices for radar, missile, and related systems. In March 2015, the company opened its Radar and Electronic Warfare Technology Center in Gölbaşı, Ankara. The center was developed to support the design, research, production, testing, and logistics of long-range surveillance and fighter-aircraft radars, electronic-warfare systems, antennas, microwave modules, and software. The company also pursued international expansion. Aselsan Baku was established in Azerbaijan in 1998 and became the company’s first foreign enterprise. It has supported sales, maintenance, repair, and local production of handheld radios. Aselsan Middle East was established in Jordan in 2012, while additional associated companies were later established in Ukraine and other markets. The company has also maintained or pursued commercial relationships and expansion opportunities in Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and South Africa. On 2 December 2022, Aselsan opened an Air Defense Test and Integration Center in Ankara. The center includes a production and integration factory, test-control facilities, a closed firing range, system-test and calibration infrastructure, a test tower, test tracks, and the ROBOSİM open-area test infrastructure. It was designed to support the production, testing, analysis, and performance improvement of domestically developed air-defense systems. In March 2025, Aselsan announced plans for new facilities covering photon detectors and nanotechnology, radar-system integration and production, air-defense production and testing, and smart ammunition. The same announcement described planned capital expenditure of $616 million and recruitment of 2,244 employees. In August 2025, construction began on the Oğulbey Technology Base in Ankara, a major planned expansion intended to increase the company’s production capacity. The company also delivered a group of air-defense systems and radars for Turkey’s Steel Dome initiative in August 2025. These developments illustrate Aselsan’s continuing role in Turkey’s strategy of developing indigenous air-defense, sensor, electronic-warfare, communications, and precision-weapon capabilities.

• 2025

  New technology and production investments announced

  [1]Aselsanen.wikipedia.org

  The company announces planned Ankara facilities for photon detectors, nanotechnology, radar, air defense, and smart ammunition.

• 2025

  Oğulbey Technology Base construction begins

  [1]Aselsanen.wikipedia.org

  Aselsan begins construction of a large new Ankara technology base intended to expand production capacity.

• 2022

  Air Defense Test and Integration Center opens

  [1]Aselsanen.wikipedia.org

  Aselsan opens an Ankara center dedicated to manufacturing, integration, testing, calibration, and performance improvement of air-defense systems.

• 2015

  Radar and Electronic Warfare Technology Center opens

  [1]Aselsanen.wikipedia.org

  A specialized Gölbaşı center begins supporting radar and electronic-warfare research, production, system testing, and logistics.

• 2014

  Joint chip factory is established

  [1]Aselsanen.wikipedia.org

  Aselsan and Bilkent University establish a commercial chip facility to develop and manufacture advanced components for defense systems.

• 1998

  Aselsan Baku is established

  [1]Aselsanen.wikipedia.org

  Aselsan establishes its first overseas company in Azerbaijan to support communications-equipment sales, service, and production.

• 1979

  Production begins at Macunköy

  [1]Aselsanen.wikipedia.org

  Following its initial infrastructure investments, Aselsan starts production at its Macunköy facilities in Ankara.

• 1975

  Aselsan is founded

  [1]Aselsanen.wikipedia.org

  The Turkish Army Foundation establishes Aselsan after the United States arms embargo highlights Turkey’s need for domestic defense-electronics capability.

A Turkish indigenous-defense champion and systems integrator focused on advanced military electronics, sovereign technology development, and integrated solutions for land, naval, air, and security forces.

• communications

  Military communications systems

  Aselsan produces tactical and professional communication systems for military users, including software-defined handheld and vehicle radios, broadband tactical networking, field telephones, repeaters, modems, and communication-management equipment. Its TASMUS family supports tactical field communications and information exchange, while related radio peripherals and routing products extend communications across vehicles, command posts, and distributed military formations.

• sensors_and_electronic_warfare

  Radar and electronic-warfare systems

  The company develops surveillance, tracking, early-warning, air-defense, and multifunction radars, including the ALP and EIRS families and other systems for air, land, maritime, and unmanned platforms. Its electronic-warfare portfolio includes KORAL, PUHU, REDET, VURAL, SAPAN, and related systems intended for electronic support, electronic attack, signal analysis, countermeasures, and protection of platforms and forces.

• electro_optics

  Electro-optical and guidance systems

  Aselsan manufactures night-vision devices, thermal cameras, laser rangefinders and designators, inertial-navigation equipment, and multispectral observation systems. ASELPOD is an electro-optical targeting pod for aircraft, while MEROPS provides a gimbal-mounted sight for surveillance and targeting. These products support observation, target acquisition, navigation, fire control, and precision engagement.

• air_defense

  Air-defense systems

  Aselsan develops layered air-defense technologies covering surveillance, command and control, short-range protection, and engagement. Its portfolio includes KORKUT self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, GÖKDENİZ naval close-in weapon systems, Hisar air-defense systems, KALKAN radars, GÜRZ short-range air defense, and systems associated with Turkey’s Steel Dome integrated air-defense concept.

• unmanned_systems

  Unmanned systems

  The company develops unmanned vehicles for air, ground, surface, and underwater missions. Examples include the Serçe and ARI 1-T miniature unmanned aircraft, KAPLAN and UKAP unmanned ground vehicles, the Albatros family of unmanned surface vehicles, and autonomous underwater platforms such as KILIÇ. Applications include reconnaissance, target services, surveillance, logistics, maritime security, and combat support.

• naval_defense

  Naval and maritime systems

  Aselsan supplies integrated marine communications, combat-management and mission systems, remote weapon stations, torpedo countermeasures, and equipment for Turkish naval platforms. Its maritime portfolio includes MİLGEM combat-system work, ZARGANA submarine countermeasures, GÖKDENİZ close-in defense, unmanned surface vehicles, and systems supporting amphibious and logistics vessels.

• weapons_and_munitions

  Precision munitions and weapon stations

  The company develops guided ammunition and weapon-control technologies, including the TOLUN family and related variants, laser-guidance equipment, the TUFAN unmanned surface vehicle, and remotely controlled weapon stations such as SMASH, STOP, STAMP, STAMP-2, and STAMP-G. These systems combine sensors, stabilization, fire control, guidance, and platform integration.

• 2025

  Increase capacity through new Ankara facilitiesStrategy

  Background

  Growing demand for domestic radar, air-defense, sensor, and ammunition capabilities encouraged Aselsan to expand specialized manufacturing infrastructure.

  Action taken

  Aselsan announced facilities for photon detectors and nanotechnology, radar integration and production, air-defense production and testing, and smart ammunition.

  Aftermath

  The announced program was intended to add production capacity and technical employment in advanced defense manufacturing.

  planned investment. $616 million (announced in 2025)

  Source

• 2025

  Build the Oğulbey Technology BaseStrategy

  Background

  Aselsan planned a major long-term expansion of its manufacturing and technology footprint in Ankara.

  Action taken

  Construction began on the Oğulbey Technology Base, described as a large new complex intended to substantially increase production capacity.

  Aftermath

  The project positioned Aselsan for larger-scale production in air defense and other advanced defense programs, although completion timing was not specified in the supplied material.

  planned project cost. $1.5 billion (announced in 2025)

  Source

• 2022

  Open an integrated air-defense test centerProduct launch

  Background

  Aselsan required dedicated infrastructure to produce, integrate, test, calibrate, and improve domestically developed air-defense systems.

  Action taken

  The company opened the Air Defense Test and Integration Center in Ankara with production, firing-range, calibration, test-tower, and test-track capabilities.

  Aftermath

  The center expanded Aselsan’s ability to validate and improve integrated air-defense products before delivery.

  Source

• 2014

  Expand into commercial semiconductor productionStrategy

  Background

  Aselsan sought to strengthen the domestic component base for radar, missiles, and other advanced defense systems.

  Action taken

  The company partnered with Bilkent University to establish a commercial chip factory, later beginning operations with an initial emphasis on gallium-nitride technology.

  Aftermath

  The facility added semiconductor manufacturing to Aselsan’s domestic technology and production infrastructure.

  Source

1. 1Aselsanen.wikipedia.org