Ahmet Akyol, CEO and President, ASELSAN

What have been the main drivers of ASELSAN’s success?

ASELSAN’s success is fundamentally driven by our highly skilled workforce, a culture of innovation and a robust R&D ecosystem. We place great value on recruiting and nurturing highly qualified personnel. Today, our more than 13,000 human capital has an average age of only 33 years with an average of 10 years of professional experience, which is an exceptional blend of youthful dynamism and seasoned expertise. Our engineers and scientists are empowered to take initiative in R&D, fostering a culture of experimentation and learning that fuels the rapid development of new solutions. Through a wide array of development program initiatives, this spirit of innovation is continuously cultivated.

Our commitment to progress is reflected in substantial investment in research and development. In 3Q 2025, the company allocated over $925 million to R&D , representing a 40 percent increase year-on-year. This investment supports the creation of a broad portfolio of over 500 products spanning all domains, most of which are field-proven and continually adapted to meet customer needs. Real-time feedback from the Turkish Armed Forces and NATO exercises further sharpens our systems, ensuring constant refinement based on operational experience.

Equally important has been the strong domestic backing and a deliberate push for localization. We have reduced dependence on imported subsystems by cultivating a resilient national supply chain and investing heavily in indigenous technologies. Localization directly lowers import costs and enhances cost-effectiveness, allowing us to compete globally with greater agility. Today, we export to more than 93 international clients and maintain 26 entities in 24 countries, making us a truly global player. This international footprint has translated into record-breaking order books, with our backlog reaching $16 billion in 2025, a 30 percent increase that underscores the confidence of international customers in our systems. That trust, more than anything, is the backbone of our sustainable progress.

Can you highlight ASELSAN’s core business areas and key offerings today?

ASELSAN is a full-spectrum defense electronics company. We deliver systems across all military domains, from undersea to outer space, and also apply our technologies in civilian sectors such as transportation, security and healthcare. Our core offerings include integrated defense system technologies, encompassing air and missile defense systems, land and weapon systems, naval combat systems, communications and C4ISR solutions, radar and electronic warfare (EW) systems, microelectronics and electro-optical systems, as well as avionics and guidance systems. We also provide communication and information technologies, ranging from military communication systems to satellite and space system payloads.

Air and missile defense stands as one of our defining pillars. We provide the sensors, effectors and command nodes that form the backbone of Türkiye’s multilayered air-defense architecture, the national Steel Dome. These systems are purpose-built for networked operations and are reinforced by substantial state and industrial investment to ensure full NATO interoperability. Steel Dome incorporates the SİPER missile defense system, which has become an essential component of Türkiye’s air defense strategy. This architecture is designed to protect Türkiye’s skies and beyond with technological depth and artificial intelligence support.

This year, we delivered 47 key components of this architecture, valued at $460 million, including advanced radar and systems such as HİSAR, KORKUT, ALP and PUHU. To further strengthen this capability, we inaugurated 14 new facilities worth $280 million. In addition, we laid the foundation of our Oğulbey Facility, the largest industrial investment in our country’s history, valued at $1.5 billion. Once operational, it is set to become the largest integrated air defense complex in Europe.

Naval Systems also remain a cornerstone of ASELSAN’s portfolio. As the primary supplier for the MİLGEM corvette and frigate programs, we deliver an extensive suite of combat solutions, ranging from combat management and fire-control radars to sonars and EW suites. Recently, we unveiled cutting-edge maritime solutions, including the GÖKSUR VLS Modular Vertical Launch System, the DERİNGÖZ Autonomous Underwater Vehicle and the CENK 4D Multifunctional Radar.

Communications and C4ISR represent another strategic pillar. Our ARTCom family of software-defined radios and tactical datalinks ensure secure, resilient information flow. The successful deployment of our ARTCom 9671 V/UHF radios in NATO platforms stands as a clear testament to both interoperability and trust. We have also expanded this domain with the launch of the T-Link Tactical Data Link Family and the TURAN Brigade-on-the-Move Communication System.

Electronic Warfare and Intelligence capabilities are a vital growth engine. We design advanced EW receivers, UAV-mounted pods and high-performance jammers. Among our newest breakthroughs are the KORAL 200 New-Generation Mobile Electronic Warfare System, and the EJDERHA High-Power Electromagnetic Counter-UAV System. These additions strengthen our reputation as one of the few companies worldwide capable of delivering comprehensive, scalable EW solutions.

Avionics, Guidance and Precision Systems form another critical part of our portfolio. From mission computers to our renowned ASELFLIR family of EO/IR targeting turrets, we provide advanced onboard electronics. This year, we introduced the ASELFLIR-600 Electro-Optical Targeting System, delivering enhanced long-range surveillance and targeting capabilities.

How does ASELSAN stand out in the global defense industry?

ASELSAN’s distinctive position arises from a unique combination of technological breadth and proven operational delivery. We are not merely a component supplier; we integrate sensors, effectors, and decision-support tools into cohesive architectures. Our multi-domain product portfolio currently exceeds 500 indigenous systems.

Field-proven performance is another cornerstone of our distinction. Systems including the HİSAR and SİPER families and our ARTCom radios have been validated by the Turkish Armed Forces and NATO exercises. This real-world feedback loop drives continuous improvement while ensuring interoperability.

Our supplier ecosystem is a strategic extension of our strategy, working with more than 5,600 suppliers. Through a strong emphasis on indigenous production, we significantly reduce dependence on foreign subsystems, which in turn lowers costs and allows us to deliver highly competitive solutions. Finally, our investment in research and development ensures we remain at the technological frontier, supporting advances in quantum-enabled chips, AI-driven command systems, and next-generation EW capabilities. These investments solidify ASELSAN’s leadership, enabling us to anticipate emerging threats.

How do you see ASELSAN’s market development and global expansion evolving?

ASELSAN’s global expansion is anchored in a strategy that combines technological innovation and strategic partnerships. In 3Q 2025, the company’s revenue rose 12.3 percent to $2.16 billion, while new contracts totaled $5.7 billion. This includes a record 171 percent increase in exports to $1.45 billion.

Efficiency initiatives, including AI integration, generated $25 million in annual savings. We also added new products to our portfolio, such as the GÖKTAN Ground-Based Precision Strike System and the GÜRZ Unmanned Air Defense System. These advancements underscore our innovation strategy: combining traditional precision with autonomous and AI-enabled capabilities.

Investor and market confidence reflect our success. ASELSAN became Türkiye’s first company to surpass a market value of 1 trillion TL on Borsa İstanbul, now exceeding $21 billion. We also entered the BIST Sustainability 25 Index at the top spot with an A+ rating, demonstrating our commitment to long-term net-zero goals. Currently, over 2 million ASELSAN products are fielded worldwide, and with excessive annual R&D investment, we are positioned to lead the future of defense technologies.

What strategies help ASELSAN build strong, lasting client and partner relationships?

Our approach is grounded in long-term collaboration and co-creation through joint ventures. Local partnerships are at the heart of our strategy. In Malaysia, we work with Sapura and MILDEF ; in Indonesia, we have agreements with PT LEN ; in South Korea, we cooperate with Hanwha Aerospace ; and in Europe, we team with firms such as Excalibur Army. In the MENA region, our partnerships include SAMI in Saudi Arabia and EDGE in the UAE.

By working closely with local engineers and partners, we ensure customer needs are met precisely and transfer technology. Customer-focused innovation is another critical pillar, incorporating feedback from NATO exercises and battlefield experience. Systems like the KORKUT platform are adapted to different operational constraints, ensuring user requirements shape R&D roadmaps.

Localization and on-the-ground support further strengthen relationships. Our offices in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other regions enable rapid maintenance and training. By localizing production through offsets, we enhance job creation and reduce supply risks. Finally, comprehensive after-sales support, including installation and software updates, enables our clients to maintain operational readiness.

How does ASELSAN’s research and development and innovation keep you ahead in technology?

At ASELSAN, continuous innovation is the foundation of our competitive edge. We allocate 7 percent of annual revenue to R&D. This substantial investment is supported by our 11 dedicated R&D centers and a highly skilled team of more than 7,500 R&D personnel.

We actively invest in emerging technologies, from quantum communication to directed-energy weapons. Our Quantum Technologies Research Lab, one of the first of its kind in Türkiye, is developing solutions for unbreakable encryption and ultra-precise radar. At the same time, artificial intelligence is woven across our portfolio as a foundational capability. Our AI-enabled electro-optical systems, including the ASELFLIR 500 and its next-generation ASELFLIR 600, deliver enhanced situational awareness and autonomy.

Innovation is amplified by a collaborative ecosystem. With our ASELLABS Program, together with over 65 academic institutions and 3,000 SMEs, we are fostering talent development. This network accelerates product development and ensures we remain a global leader in high-tech defense solutions.

What are the key priorities of the aselsaneXt vision?

aselsaneXt is ASELSAN’s strategic blueprint for the next decade, designed to position the company among the world’s top defense firms. Built around five core pillars: aTalent, aFast, aTech, aMass and aBusiness, it reflects a holistic approach to growth.

• aTalent focuses on attracting top-tier engineers and fostering continuous learning.
• aFast streamlines processes through digitalization and agile methodologies across all domains.
• aTech drives game-changing technologies in fields such as AI, quantum sensing, and directed-energy weapons.
• aMass strengthens industrial infrastructure to scale high-volume production, including robotic automation and “dark” factory concepts.
• aBusiness emphasizes export orientation and strategic partnerships.

Through this roadmap, ASELSAN strengthens technological independence and operational relevance, delivering cutting-edge defense solutions to Türkiye and its allied partners worldwide.