Latest news with #SteelDome
India.com
3 days ago
- Science
- India.com
Meet ‘Steel Dome', Turkey's answer to Israel's Iron Dome air defense system, includes SIPER long-range missile system, its capable of…; concern for India due to…
Turkey is developing its homegrown Steel Dome air defense system. (File) In another major success in homegrown defense systems, Turkey has completed the serial production acceptance test of its indigenous-developed SIPER long-range missile defense system, which is designed to be a critical component of the proposed multi-layered 'Steel Dome' air defense shield. How powerful is Turkey's SIPER missile system? According to details, the SİPER Product-2 variant, will have a range of 150 kilometers, and is designed to intercept a variety of aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and air-to-ground munitions. The domestically-developed missile, jointly developed by Aselsan, Roketsan and the Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Institute (TUBITAK), is designed to be integrated into Turkey's indigenously-built 'Steel Dome' air defense system. The missile is equipped with a K-band radio frequency seeker for accurate target identification and tracking, according to officials. What is Turkey's Steel Dome The Steel Dome is an indigenous air defense system being developed by Turkey. The system will be a network-based air defense shield with integrated artificial intelligence support, designed to defend from a wide-range of aerial threats, including long-range ballistic missiles, fighter jets, cruise missiles, drones, and air-to-ground munitions. The air defense system includes a 35 km Korkat gun system (for very short range threats), Hisar-A and Hisar-O missiles (for short and medium range threats) and SIPER missile system for long-range threats. Turkey is also developing advanced components for the system, including methods to connect navigation system to satellite, and development of the KKS antenna. Additionally, Turkey is also developing its indigenous KâŞİF Global Positioning System (GNSS) receiver, and the Atlas Inertial Measurement Unit. Why there is concern for India? Turkey, along with China and Azerbaijan, were among the few countries that openly supported Pakistan during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. Ahead of Operation Sindoor, Turkey, which has strengthened its military ties with Pakistan in recent times, had reportedly docked its warship at the Karachi Port, to deter any sea-based attack on the country by the Indian Navy. Additionally, Turkey also armed the Pakistani forces with advanced military drones like the Bayraktar TB2, which were actively used against Indian installations during Operation Sindoor. Experts fear that Turkey, which is rapidly developing advanced indigenous military technology, could provide these armaments to Pakistan in the future, posing a major threat to India.
Forbes
02-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Turkey Advances Military Buildup Against Backdrop Of Israel-Iran War
RIZE, TURKIYE - FEBRUARY 03: Turkiye's longest-range missile 'Tayfun' conducts test flight, in Rize, ... More Turkiye on February 03, 2025. (Photo by Fikret Delal/Anadolu via Getty Images) As Israel and Iran fought each other in the unprecedented Twelve-Day War in June, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was busy continuing a significant buildup of his country's armed forces with acquisitions of advanced foreign and homegrown systems. Days after Israel launched its devastating air campaign against high-value targets across Iran, Erdogan announced that Turkey is 'making production plans to bring our medium- and long-range missile stockpiles to a level that ensures deterrence, in light of recent developments.' 'God willing, in the not-too-distant future, we will reach a defense capacity that is so strong that no one will even dare to act tough toward us,' he added. Turkey already possesses air defense systems and offensive ballistic missiles. Erdogan's mention of a 'defense capacity' may refer to the integrated and multilayered Steel Dome national air defense system that Turkey is developing. Either way, it's possible that this latest war could convince Ankara that it also requires more ballistic missiles. The origins of Turkey's present ballistic missile program go back to the 1990s when China allowed Turkey to produce its B-611 under license, giving Ankara the know-how to develop its own ballistic missiles over time. Turkey later unveiled the Bora-1 short-range ballistic missile in 2017 and test-fired another longer-range homegrown SRBM, the Tayfun, in the Black Sea in October 2022 and February 2025. Turkey signed a contract with Indonesia for Khan SRBMs, the export version of the Bora-1, in November 2022. Ankara is also developing a medium-range ballistic missile known as the Cenk, the Turkish word for war, which will significantly increase the reach of its offensive arsenal. Any increase in ballistic missile production is likely to attract more foreign interest in Turkey's SRBMs, especially as more countries seek to expand and improve their military arsenals amid heightened global instability. With Iran's ballistic missile arsenal, presently the largest in the Middle East, battered by the war, it's not inconceivable that ramped-up Turkish ballistic missile production could see Ankara's arsenal meet or even exceed Tehran's quantitatively over time, especially if Israel strikes again. It seems likely that, as is already the case with its homegrown drones, Turkey can win more export contracts for its ballistic missiles than Iran, which only exported such missiles to Russia. However, Erdogan doubtlessly doesn't plan on putting all his eggs in the ballistic missile basket and almost certainly comprehends that a sophisticated defense capacity plays a vital deterrence role. The Turkish president announced the Steel Dome last year, directly comparing it with Israel's Iron Dome—although unlike the latter, the Steel Dome is a multilayered network of integrated systems. Turkey has already developed and produced a series of short- to long-range systems. While it has favorably compared its high-altitude Siper system to the Russian S-400, the current operational version of that homegrown Turkish system still lacks an anti-ballistic capability. Furthermore, Turkey's S-400s, the only system it presently has that does, aren't being integrated into the Steel Dome. Turkey undoubtedly noted Israel's successful deployment of air-launched ballistic missiles to knock out Iran's air defenses. Tehran's air defenses included the Russian S-300 and indigenous Bavar-373. As neighboring Iran's air defenses failed to intercept any Israeli fighter jets operating deep inside the country's airspace, Erdogan once again requested his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron authorize Turkey to co-produce a version of the SAMP/T air defense missile system. Integrating the SAMP/T into the Steel Dome could markedly enhance Turkey's anti-ballistic defenses and increase overall compatibility with NATO air defenses, something Ankara could never do with its standalone S-400s. Aside from building up his missile arsenal, Erdogan is also pushing for an extensive upgrade of his air force. Past political decisions, such as the contentious S-400 acquisition in 2019, have significantly impacted the modernization of Turkey's air force. Not only was Turkey banned from buying the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II, but it also faced obstacles in upgrading its F-16 fleet—a 2021 request for modern Block 70 F-16s wasn't approved until after Ankara acceded to Sweden's NATO accession. Germany was also reluctant to approve a Turkish acquisition of the Eurofighter Typhoon and, as a member of the consortium, could prevent any export of the fighter. All of that appears to have begun shifting in Ankara's favor. In an interview with Turkish media published on June 29, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack expressed his belief that a solution to the F-35 issue could be reached 'by year-end.' In another Turkish media interview the following day, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said Britain was 'making excellent progress' on securing a Turkish Eurofighter deal, adding that 'we are certain all four consortium partners support this sale.' Turkey presently seeks 40 new F-16s, 40 F-35As, and 40 Eurofighters. Acquiring all 120 of these fighter jets within the next decade would hugely improve its air force capabilities. For example, in addition to the Eurofighter, Turkey also wants the accompanying long-range Meteor air-to-air missile, which has a range exceeding the AIM-120 used by Israeli fighter jets. Securing these acquisitions will help ensure that the Turkish Air Force doesn't risk becoming obsolescent, as its Iranian counterpart did long ago, leaving it utterly helpless in the face of Israel's aerial juggernaut. It's noteworthy that these developments roughly coincided with the Twelve-Day War as they all serve as apt reminders that Turkey is actively working to ensure it's adequately equipped and prepared should it one day fight such a modern war.
India.com
02-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
Will Pakistan get S-400 air defense system? Turkey made a plan for F-35... what is the Russian connection?
Will Pakistan get S-400 air defense system? Turkey made a plan for F-35... what is the Russian connection? Turkey To Sell S-400 to Pakistan: Geopolitical equations are changing rapidly around the world and another big headache may emerge for India's security policy. The air defense system that protected India from air threats from Pakistan. Now the same S-400 system can go into the hands of India's enemy Pakistan. This claim has been made by a former minister of Turkey. Turkey, which bought this system from Russia for $ 2.5 billion, is now preparing to get rid of this system to build better relations with America. This matter is not just about military technology, but also indicates a new 'cold war' between India and Turkey. The bitterness in India-Turkey relations in the last decade is now openly moving towards confrontation at the level of military strategy. India and Turkey are now seen at two opposite poles of global diplomacy. Recently, when India increased diplomatic and military partnership with Turkey's rivals Cyprus and Greece, it was a clear message that India is not taking Turkey's growing closeness with Pakistan lightly. The visit of the Indian Air Force Chief to Greece and Prime Minister Modi's visit to Cyprus are part of this. At the same time, Turkey has started many military projects in collaboration with Pakistan and has also supported Pakistan on various global forums. Now selling state-of-the-art systems like S-400 to Pakistan can become a new challenge for India. Turkey wants to give up S-400, wants to get F-35 from America Turkey had made a deal for S-400 defense system from Russia in 2017, but due to this it was excluded from America's F-35 fighter jet program and also had to face CAA TSA sanctions. Now Turkey wants to improve relations with America and is developing a new multi-layer air defense system called 'Steel Dome'. 'Steel Dome' will be completely domestic, in which Turkish defense companies ASELSAN, ROKETSAN and MKE are working. Turkey has made it clear that the Russian S-400 will not be included in this system. This is an indication that Turkey is preparing to get rid of the S-400 and is trying to rejoin the F-35 program. Will S-400 be sold to Pakistan? Former Turkish Minister Cavit Caglar created a sensation by saying that Turkey should consider selling S-400 and its potential buyers could be India or Pakistan. Although he gave preference to Pakistan, but this is just speculation, not any official confirmation. The reality is that Turkey has neither been able to fully integrate S-400 into its network, nor has it activated it. In such a situation, it may think of satisfying America by selling this system. How possible is the sale of S-400 to Pakistan? However, technically and diplomatically it is not that easy. Turkey's agreement with Russia makes it clear that it cannot transfer or sell S-400 to any other country without prior permission from Russia. And getting this permission is almost impossible. Russia is not only a strategic partner of India, but it has already given India five squadrons of S-400. Russia would not want India's rival Pakistan to have the same system. Also, Pakistan is not in a financial position to buy an expensive system like the S-400. The cost of one squadron is around $500 million. On the other hand, talks are going on between India and Russia regarding additional batch of S-400 and S-500 systems. India is already the operator of these systems and Russia also trusts India. In such a situation, if Turkey wants to get rid of S-400, then India can become a viable buyer for it. Provided Russia allows it. Currently, both the S-400 units Turkey has are lying dormant and kept at an undisclosed location. Turkey does not want to activate it so that it can maintain better relations with NATO and the US.
India.com
01-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
Turkey dumps Russia's S-400, resumes F-35 fighter jet talks with US, India and Pakistan names come up for...
Turkey dumps Russia's S-400, resumes F-35 fighter jet talks with US, India and Pakistan names come up for… Ankara: Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and United States President Donald Trump met briefly on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague. That meeting has now become a flashpoint in Washington's shifting military ties with Ankara. On the sidelines of the NATO summit, which was held in Hague, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and United States President Donald Trump met and discussed on several crucial issues. After reaching Turkey, President Erdogan stated that his country had not cancelled the F-35 fighter jet deal with America. These remarks come days after Ankara announced it to upgrade its air defence system – 'Steel Dome'. Trump, on the other hand, informed a small group of Republican donors that Turkey's return to the F-35 deal was 'being worked out'. Without giving a timeline, he said conversations had moved further to the technical phase. What Is Turkey's F-35 Story F-35 fighter jet is a very sensitive topic for Turkey as well as the US. it all started in 2019 when Ankara purchased Russian S-400 air defence system for USD2.5 billion. The US put several sanctions on Turkey following the deal. The US also casted out Turkey from the F-35 consortium. However, the diplomats of both countries called it a low point. Why Shifting Of Moods? While speaking off the record with aides after the NATO summit, the US President reportedly said Turkey's 'signals are encouraging' and that 'we have got momentum'. Notably, Turkey has not used the Made in Russia S-400 air defence systems. They remain locked up in a military base. That is what Washington may want. A shift in Turkey's stance regarding its S-400 missile system has been described as a significant change by a former US official involved in the discussions. This official suggests Turkey might forgo the S-400s to regain access to Western technology. Further supporting this assessment, US envoy Tom Barrack indicated on June 29th that sanctions on Turkey's defence industry could be removed by year's end, citing efforts by both President Erdogan and As per experts, Turkey can be among the countries that will receive F-35, and it can leave the S-400 in the military bases or sell them to a third country. Is India And Pakistan In The Race? President Erdogan can sell the S-400 to other countries. The list of interested countries may have and the names of India and Pakistan.
India.com
01-07-2025
- Business
- India.com
Turkey Eyes F-35 Comeback, Dumps Russia's S-400 – Will India Buy The Abandoned Missiles?
New Delhi: Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump met briefly on the sidelines of the NATO summit in The Hague. That meeting has now turned into a flashpoint in Washington's shifting military ties with Ankara. Flying home after the summit, the Turkish president said his country had not closed the door on the F-35 fighter jet. His comments came days after Turkey announced an upgrade to its domestic air defense network, the so-called 'Steel Dome'. Trump later confirmed what Erdogan hinted at. The U.S. president told a small group of Republican donors that Turkey's return to the F-35 fold was 'being worked out'. He did not give a timeline but said conversations had moved into the technical phase. The F-35 story has been a sensitive one for both sides. In 2019, Turkey took delivery of a Russian S-400 air defense system. That $2.5 billion deal led to U.S. sanctions. The Pentagon froze Turkey out of the F-35 consortium. Diplomats on both ends called it a low point. Now, the mood is shifting. Trump believes the impasse can be resolved. Speaking off the record with aides after the summit, he reportedly said Turkey's 'signals are encouraging' and that 'we have got momentum'. Turkey has not activated the S-400s. They remain locked up in a military base, with their future uncertain. That may be the olive branch Washington needs. A former U.S. official familiar with the talks called the change in tone 'a huge reversal'. The official said Turkey may be willing to cut its losses on the S-400s to re-enter the Western tech ecosystem. On June 29, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said sanctions on Turkey's defense sector might be lifted by the end of the year. He told Anadolu that both Erdogan and Trump were 'pushing for resolution'. Insiders now say Ankara could be back in the F-35 loop within months. That path would require Turkey to mothball its S-400s permanently or sell them to a third country. Names being floated? Pakistan. Even India. There is no confirmation yet. But Erdogan's remarks suggest the S-400 deal may have run its course. For his part, Trump sees the F-35 not as a sale but as a strategic bridge. One that can still link Ankara back to Washington.
