Turkish defence company Aselsan to build $1.5 billion technology base to double capacity

Turkish defence electronics company Aselsan ASELS will more than double production capacity with a $1.5 billion investment in a new technology base, President Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday.

Erdogan said the base, the first phase of which is expected to be commissioned in mid-2026, will be the largest single defence industry investment in the country and Europe's biggest integrated air defence facility.

"The Ogulbey technology base will be one of the region's most advanced defence technology centres," he said.

Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony included an announcement that Aselsan has also delivered components for Turkey's multi-layered Steel Dome air defence system.

NATO member Turkey first announced its plants to build its Steel Dome system in July 2024, aiming to create air defences similar to those provided by Israel's Iron Dome system.

Turkey has reduced its dependence on external suppliers of defence equipment in recent years, becoming a leading manufacturer of armed drones for the global market in the process.