No single solution to the threat: ESD interviews Ahmet Akyol, Aselsan President and CEO

In June 2025, ESD interviewed Ahmet Akyol, the President and CEO of Aselsan to discuss his perspective on recent and emerging challenges in the field of air defence. The interview was conducted by Mark Cazalet.

Q: Could you please provide a brief overview of what kinds of changes you’re seeing in the air defence market right now, and highlighting any interesting trends you’ve observed?

A: The global air defence landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by evolving threats, particularly the increasing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), loitering munitions, and asymmetric attack methods. In response, countries are moving away from single-layered, long-range-centric systems and instead investing in multi-layered, integrated air defence architectures that combine short, medium, and long-range elements. Aselsan closely monitors these changes and is actively shaping next-generation solutions with high adaptability and modularity. One of the most pressing trends is the demand for cost-effective countermeasures against UAVs since it is no longer sustainable to intercept low-cost UAVs with expensive missiles. Hence, this shift has resulted in driving the development of directed energy weapons (DEW) such as High-Power Electromagnetics and Laser Systems along with RF-based systems like GÖKBERK, BUKALEMUN, and KANGAL FPV, as well as mobile solutions like KORKUT 25 – 35mm, İHTAR, and GÜRZ Hybrid System, which offer flexible, on-the-move defence capabilities.

In parallel, there has been an increasing emphasis on artificial intelligence-assisted command and control systems that enable faster decision-making, improved threat classification, and enhanced coordination across all layers. Aselsan’s Steel Dome Air Defence System reflects this trend–built as a network-centric, AI-supported, layered structure that integrates early warning radars, IRST sensors, electronic warfare modules, and a comprehensive interceptor portfolio including KORKUT 35mm, GÜRZ, HİSAR A/O/O+ series, and SİPER. Moreover, advanced versions of the system, such as SİPER Block 2 and Block 3 are under development, aiming to expand operational reach and effectiveness. Aselsan is directly involved in these efforts, in cooperation with in-house national stakeholders. Overall, the shift toward mobility, automation, modularity and cost-efficient layered defence is now shaping the future of the air defence market, and Aselsan is accordingly positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation with cutting-edge technologies designed for rapidly evolving operational scenarios.

Q: Out of the various capability segments, such as VSHORAD, SHORAD, MRAD, LRAD, along with the overlapping C-RAM and C-UAV roles, where are you currently seeing the most demand among the customer base? Can you explain why you think the demand patterns are moving in this direction?

A: Across the full spectrum of air defence, the most significant increase in demand has been in short-range air defence (SHORAD) and counter-UAV (C-UAV) capabilities. This trend is largely driven by operational experiences in recent conflicts, where low-cost UAVs, loitering munitions, and low-altitude threats have demonstrated a disproportionate impact by targeting critical infrastructure and disrupting conventional formations. Armed forces are now prioritising mobile, rapidly deployable systems that could provide real-time protection to manoeuvring units and static assets alike. Aselsan addresses these requirements through a layered portfolio. At the close-range level, KORKUT 35 mm self-propelled air defence gun system–enhanced with ATOM airburst ammunition–offers high-speed kinetic engagement against low-flying threats. In the electronic warfare domain, systems like KANGAL deliver RF-based countermeasures against Drone-Mini/Micro UAVs, safeguarding critical military assets and civilian zones. For more advanced spoofing and deception needs, BUKALEMUN provides GNSS signal manipulation to mislead UAVs that rely on satellite navigation. In parallel, High Power Electromagnetic (HPEM) systems are emerging as promising near-future solutions in the C-UAV domain, offering a threat-agnostic approach with diverse application areas. To address this need, Aselsan is currently developing the EJDERHA product family, aiming to deliver a game-changing solution for UAV neutralisation.

While these SHORAD and C-UAV capabilities are currently in highest demand, Aselsan continues to support medium and long-range air defence layers as well, with systems like HİSAR-A/A+ already operational and SİPER set to provide long-range, high-altitude coverage. The ability to integrate these diverse systems into scalable, layered air defence architectures positions Aselsan as a versatile and strategic partner for both NATO and non-NATO customers navigating today’s evolving threat landscape.

Q: On the more technical side, what are some of the changes to technical demands in the last couple of years? For example, how have requirements such as jamming resistance, projectile range, or cost evolved lately?

A: In recent years, the technical requirements for air defence systems have evolved significantly in response to the growing complexity of modern threats. Today’s systems must contend not with a single incoming missile, but with multiple simultaneous threats, including swarms of UAVs and loitering munitions. This shift has led to a demand for higher target tracking capacity and multi-target engagement capability–especially under time-critical conditions. At the same time, the need for 360-degree coverage and maximum mobility has become increasingly prominent. Armed forces now prioritise systems that are modular, rapidly deployable, and easily integrated across platforms, rather than static, direction-limited setups.

In terms of sensor performance, the rise of smaller, quieter UAVs with low radar cross-sections has increased the reliance on high-frequency radars and advanced electro-optic systems for early detection. Moreover, the expectation is no longer for air defence units to operate in isolation; systems must now function within a network-centric architecture, seamlessly integrating with C4ISR infrastructures for real-time data sharing and coordinated response. Altogether, these changing demands reflect a broader transition toward flexible, integrated, and highly adaptive defence technologies.

Q: Have you seen any noteworthy changes on the GBAD (ground-based air defence) operational side, such as significant force structure changes, more integration with electronic warfare units, more ‘low-level’ organic capability growth, or even behavioural changes, such as an emphasis on emissions discipline due to ELINT risks?

A: Absolutely. A key operational trend in modern GBAD (Ground-Based Air Defence) is the shift toward low-emission doctrines. As ELINT (electronic intelligence) threats become more acute, GBAD units are increasingly trained to limit their radar and communication signatures. Techniques such as intermittent radar activation, third-party sensor cueing, and shoot-and-scoot tactics are being adopted to minimise exposure and increase survivability against electronic and kinetic attacks.

At the same time, the structure and behaviour of air defence forces are evolving in response to rapid technological change. Recent conflicts have demonstrated that warfare is no longer linear or platform-centric, but multi-domain and sensor-saturated. This requires greater operational flexibility and the ability to rapidly adapt at both the system and organisational levels. Aselsan observes a clear trend toward decentralised, modular air defence units with organic counter-UAV, electronic warfare, and C4ISR capabilities embedded directly at lower echelons.

Moreover, modern GBAD formations are expected to operate as part of a network-centric ecosystem, where real-time data from radars, electro-optical sensors, EW units, and command-and-control centres are fused to enable faster and more coordinated responses. Aselsan’s solutions, including HAKİM C2 systems, multi-sensor integration, and low-emission radar technologies, are developed with this vision in mind – ensuring that both the technology and the force structure can meet the challenges of high-tempo, high-threat environments.

In short, the GBAD domain is not only becoming more technically complex but also more behaviourally adaptive, emphasising emission control, rapid deployment, and interoperability across multiple layers of air defence and electronic warfare.

Q: Looking at the War in Ukraine, one of the most glaring characteristics has been the near ubiquity of small UAVs. This has resulted in a huge amount of sensor coverage, both at the frontlines, and even at considerable operational depth, making it extremely difficult for many traditional formations to remain hidden for long. What kinds of operational or engineering responses do you see as the best long-term solutions to this problem?

A: The widespread use of small UAVs – especially as seen in the War in Ukraine – has fundamentally altered the nature of the battlefield. Constant aerial surveillance at both tactical and operational depths has rendered traditional concealment methods increasingly ineffective. In this new environment, survivability no longer depends on armour or size alone, but on mobility, dispersion, and deception. Large, static formations or critical infrastructure assets are becoming highly vulnerable unless they can stay agile, masked, or misleading through techniques such as decoys, electronic spoofing, and false signatures.

From a technological standpoint, traditional countermeasures like RF sensors and jammers were initially seen as quick fixes, but the threat has rapidly evolved. UAVs now operate across non-standard frequency bands, use anti-jam receivers, or are even controlled via fibre-optic cables. This escalation shows that the threat environment is dynamic – and so must be the response.

Aselsan’s approach is therefore multi-layered. We are investing in a spectrum of kinetic and non-kinetic counter-drone technologies, including scalable RF and laser-based systems, as well as next-generation high-power electromagnetic (HPEM) weapons. HPEM technologies, which create intense electromagnetic pulses similar to lightning, offer a game-changing advantage: they are effective regardless of whether a drone is RF-controlled, autonomous, or tethered, as long as it contains electronic components. In this context, we see future protection zones being shaped not by walls or radars, but by electronic exclusion areas powered by narrow-band and wide-band HPEM systems, deployed either centrally or in distributed configurations.

Ultimately, there is no single solution to this challenge – it requires an ecosystem of adaptive technologies, AI-assisted command systems, and doctrinal shifts. Aselsan’s role is to anticipate how these threats will evolve and to lead the way in developing forward-looking, resilient defence solutions that are ready for tomorrow’s battlespace.

Q: Finally, could you provide us with a glimpse at the future – do you have development projects aimed at the longer-range side of the air defence equation? Or going even further, projects aiming at filling the ballistic missile defence, or counter-hypersonic weapons segment?

A: Air defence is a highly complex and layered field, requiring long-term commitment and the integration of diverse technologies. At Aselsan, we pursue a proactive and continuous R&D strategy – not only to address current operational requirements, but also to prepare for emerging and future threats. Our long-range air defence efforts are currently centred around SİPER, Türkiye’s first indigenous high-altitude system, which has already demonstrated its capability against cruise missiles and high-speed aircraft in successful live-fire tests. Looking ahead, future iterations of SİPER system–such as SİPER Block 3–will introduce new seekers and advanced propulsion systems, targeting improved effectiveness against ballistic missiles and paving the way for counter-hypersonic applications.

In parallel, our radar development roadmap includes the expansion of ALP family of AESA sensors, which are being designed for extended detection ranges and enhanced tracking performance. Aselsan is also actively exploring directed energy and RF-based interceptor technologies, which are expected to play a critical role for threat-agnostic approach in countering next-generation threats in both the mid-course and terminal phases of engagement. All these initiatives are part of a broader multi-domain integration strategy, aimed at equipping allied nations not only with protection against today’s challenges, but with the technological edge needed to address the evolving threat landscape of the future.