Expansion Plans for Aselsan: A Significant Leap in Türkiye’s Defense Sector
Overview of New Developments
On October 7, international defense journalists were briefed at Aselsan’s Gölbaşı facility in Ankara regarding the company’s ambitious plans to enhance its operational capacity significantly. This briefing coincided with the ongoing construction of the Oğulbey technology base—a strategic investment designed to double the existing capabilities at the Gölbaşı site.
Oğulbey Technology Base
- Groundbreaking Ceremony: The Oğulbey facility was inaugurated on August 27, marking the commencement of what will be Aselsan’s largest operational site.
- Investment and Scale: A substantial investment of approximately USD 1.5 billion will facilitate the construction of a facility encompassing 735,000 m² of covered space within an expansive total area of 6.5 million m².
- Projected Opening: This cutting-edge facility is scheduled to commence operations in 2028, focusing predominantly on the development of Türkiye’s Steel Dome air and missile defense system.
Enhancements at Gölbaşı
Aselsan is also directing substantial resources towards the Gölbaşı location:
- Financial Investment: An allocation of USD 280 million aims to expand the site’s cleanroom capacity, laboratories, integration areas, and research and development (R&D) spaces.
- Capacity Growth: These enhancements are projected to yield a 40% increase in current capacity, contributing to an overarching goal of doubling capabilities in the near future.
New Facility Openings
The August 27 ceremony also heralded the unveiling of 14 new specialized facilities, which include:
- Air-defense systems design office
- Radar production and integration facility
- Advanced engineering materials R&D center
- Electro-optic forward-looking infrared (FLIR) systems production facility
- Guided munitions design and integration facility
- Avionics integration hangar
- Aselsannet production center
The first of these facilities is expected to become operational by mid-2026.
Strategic Implications
During the ceremony, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized the significance of these investments, characterizing it as the most substantial commitment to the defense industry in Türkiye’s history. He remarked that this new facility will not only be the largest integrated air-defense installation in Europe but will also serve as a crucial pillar for Türkiye’s defense ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
- This initiative signifies a pivotal moment for the Turkish defense sector, aiming for self-sufficiency and technological leadership.
- The expansion aligns with national defense objectives to meet domestic needs while positioning Türkiye as a key player on the global stage over the next five decades.
Through these strategic investments and developments, Aselsan is poised to enhance Türkiye’s defense capabilities significantly, underlining its role as a vital contributor to national and regional security dynamics.
