Türkiye sets record defense spending to expand steel dome network
Photo: Turkish army (Getty Images)
Türkiye plans to significantly increase defense funding under the Medium-Term Program for 2027–2029. At the same time, Ankara intends to strengthen its own defense industry and reduce dependence on imports of technology and weapons, according to Ukrinform and TRT Haber.
Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz stated that the country will increase defense spending by 229% under the Medium-Term Program for 2027–2029.
According to him, Ankara seeks to develop its own technologies in the defense industry, independently meet the country's needs, and create high-value-added products.
Yılmaz emphasized that defense and security are among the fundamental prerequisites for Türkiye's economic development. Therefore, budgetary resources, in his words, will be directed in accordance with the state's strategic needs.
Ankara also plans to increase research and development, production, and innovation potential not only in the defense sector but also in critical areas, including medical technologies, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence.
A separate direction is the development of the multi-layered "Steel Dome" (Çelik Kubbe) air defense system. Turkey has already partially deployed its elements and will continue to integrate system components on Navy ships.
In the first stage, the Turkish Navy has already begun using the "Steel Dome" structure with very short-range air defense systems on its ships. In the coming years, after new ships enter the fleet, more advanced components of the system are planned to be deployed on maritime platforms.
One of the close-in weapon systems already used on ships of various classes is GÖKDENİZ. The system is designed to protect ships from missiles, drones, and other aerial threats.
Another component of short-range air defense will be TOLGA, designed to counter low-altitude asymmetric threats, including drones, attack UAVs, and cruise missiles.
The GÖKSUR and LEVENT systems, which Türkiye has been testing for a long time, are also planned to be included in this echelon. For medium and long ranges, the use of the MİDLAS vertical launch system, as well as naval versions of the Turkish HİSAR and SİPER complexes, is envisaged.
The HİSAR-D RF complex is intended to provide short- and medium-range air defense. SİPER, in turn, is one of the components of the long-range echelon of the "Steel Dome," and its naval version, SİPER BLOCK 1-D, is designed to protect critically important surface platforms of the Turkish Navy.
Context of the news
Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, Türkiye is actively developing its armed forces. Moreover, Türkiye shows considerable interest in cooperation in the defense-industrial sphere, specifically with Ukraine, but approaches this issue cautiously, said Ukrainian Ambassador to Türkiye Nariman Dzhelyal.
Türkiye currently does not object to signing a Drone Deal with Ukraine but continues to seek the most beneficial format. Kyiv and Ankara may implement joint projects in third-country markets.
