Turkey signs contracts worth 6.5 billion dollars to strengthen its defence system

Amid confusion over Israel's attacks on Iran and Syria, neighbours of the Ottoman country, and on Lebanon and Qatar

El presidente turco, Tayyip Erdogan, firma el Bayraktar Kizilelma, un avión de combate no tripulado, en el Teknofest Black Sea, un festival de aviación, espacio y tecnología, en el aeropuerto de Carsamba en Samsun, Turquía, el 3 de septiembre de 2022 - PHOTO/ OFICINA DE PRENSA PRESIDENCIAL via REUTERS — Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan signs the Bayraktar Kizilelma, an unmanned combat aircraft, at Teknofest Black Sea, an aviation, space and technology festival, at Carsamba Airport in Samsun, Turkey, on 3 September 2022 - PHOTO/ PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE via REUTERS

29/11/25

Defence companies in Turkey have signed agreements worth $6.5 billion to strengthen the integrated air defence system known as ‘Steel Dome’.

The Turkish Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) confirmed this information, which demonstrates the Ottoman country's commitment to military and defence matters. Turkey is one of the most prominent members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and has recently seen a proliferation of Israeli attacks on Iran and Syria, Turkey's neighbours, and Lebanon and Qatar. This situation has led the Turkish state to seek to strengthen its defence systems.

<p>Unos hombres toman fotografías de un cráter en una fábrica de cemento tras los ataques israelíes, según la agencia estatal de noticias libanesa NNA, en Ansar, en el sur del Líbano, el 17 de octubre de 2025 - REUTERS/ ALI HANKIR</p> — Men take photographs of a crater in a cement factory following Israeli attacks, according to the Lebanese state news agency NNA, in Ansar, southern Lebanon, on 17 October 2025 - **REUTERS/ALI HANKIR**

Turkey, which in recent years has significantly increased its defence industry production and reduced its dependence on external suppliers, first announced plans to build its ‘Iron Dome’, similar to Israel's ‘Iron Dome’ system, in July 2024.

The project consists of 47 components, including radars, missiles, electro-optical sensors, command and control centres, and air defence elements of varying ranges.

Attacks by Israel, the most advanced army in the Middle East, with hundreds of US-supplied F-15, F-16 and F-35 fighter jets, against Iran and Syria, Turkey's neighbours, as well as Lebanon and Qatar, have made Ankara nervous over the past year and forced it to increase its air power and air defence to counter any potential threats.

<p>Aviones de combate F-35 del cuerpo de Marines de EE.UU. sobrevuelan la antigua base militar de Roosevelt Roads en Ceiba, Puerto Rico, el 19 de septiembre de 2025 - REUTERS/ RICARDO ARDUENGO</p> — US Marine Corps F-35 fighter jets fly over the former Roosevelt Roads military base in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, on 19 September 2025 - **REUTERS/RICARDO ARDUENGO**

Turkey has also become a major manufacturer and exporter of armed drones, which are used in conflicts in Ukraine, Syria, Nagorno-Karabakh and across Africa.

In a statement, SSB President Haluk Gorgun said the contracts included combat systems and their advanced versions, which would be developed by Roketsan, adding that the ‘Steel Dome’ would be made from entirely domestic systems.

Gorgun said the contracts would help increase Turkey's deterrence, while also contributing to efforts to increase the range and scope of its combat systems.

The presidents of defence companies Aselsan and Roketsan said the contracts were of ‘strategic importance’ and added that they included space and air defence systems, anti-tank systems and other strategic systems.

Turkey has long said it is working to strengthen its defences, including long-range missiles, although officials and analysts say the ‘Steel Dome’ project is still years away from fruition.

Gorgun said Turkey is now among the world's leading exporters in the defence industry.

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Turkey Middle East