Turkish defence giant Aselsan has introduced its latest suite of electronic warfare and counter-UAV technologies during a high-profile launch at the SAHA 2026 defence and aerospace expo in Istanbul.
These advanced systems are designed to navigate increasingly volatile operational environments while significantly bolstering Türkiye’s ‘Steel Dome’ — the nation's multi-layered, integrated air defence network.
“Modern battlefields demand seamless integration across both the electromagnetic spectrum and physical domains. At SAHA 2026, we are proud to unveil a new generation of systems specifically engineered to fortify the Steel Dome,” Aselsan President and CEO Ahmet Akyol said after the launch.
He added that the systems are entering mass production to address an evolving landscape of asymmetric aerial threats.
Electronic warfare is a military term that describes the use of electromagnetic spectrum -- including radio waves, infrared, and radar -- to target the enemy by disrupting or deceiving their electronic capabilities, while protecting own systems from the same interference.
Commenting on the strategic significance of the launch, Akyol highlighted the radar-jamming prowess of the land-based Koral system, Ilgar’s communication disruption capabilities and Gokalp’s pioneering drone-against-drone interception.
“(....) We are ensuring that the Steel Dome remains an impenetrable shield against the most sophisticated aerial and electronic threats of the future,” he added.
In January this year, Aselsan surpassed a $30 billion market valuation, becoming the first company in Türkiye to achieve the feat. The company is also among the top 10 most valuable defence industry firms in Europe, a leap driven by strong export growth and a focus on advanced, high-impact technologies.
A new era in electronic warfare
The electronic warfare suite, featuring the latest iterations of Koral, Ilgar and Ejderha, represents a leap forward in neutralising multi-dimensional threats.
These systems are not merely jammers; they are integrated assets designed to provide full-spectrum situational awareness.
The Koral, specifically, bridges the gap between early warning and active neutralisation. By executing high-precision electronic support and decisive electronic attack from a single land-based unit, it creates an impenetrable digital barrier.
This anti-access/area denial capability is the backbone of the Steel Dome, ensuring that enemy aircraft and guided munitions are identified and suppressed long before they can threaten sovereign airspace.
Furthermore, the versatility of Ilgar and Ejderha enhances this defensive posture by targeting diverse communication networks and signal-dependent threats, effectively blinding the adversary’s coordination in high-intensity combat zones.
Building on its radar-suppression capabilities, Aselsan showcased the latest evolution of the Ilgar, a next-generation mobile electronic attack system engineered to dismantle adversary communication networks.
What sets the Ilgar apart is its high-intensity RF output combined with reactive jamming—a sophisticated technique that enables it to track and neutralise complex frequency-hopping systems in real time.
Unlike static defence units, Ilgar delivers these electronic attack and electronic support capabilities while on the move, ensuring that mobile frontline units maintain tactical superiority without sacrificing momentum.
By effectively 'blinding' the strategic communication links of enemy aircraft and command centres, the system ensures operational resilience.
In a landscape where information flow is as critical as firepower, Ilgar provides the decisive edge by inducing communication delays, deception, and total disruption, forcing the adversary into tactical isolation.
Countering asymmetric threats
As the threat landscape shifts toward autonomous and low-cost aerial threats, Aselsan has expanded its electromagnetic dominance into the counter-UAV (C-UAV) arena with the next-generation Ejderha.
This high-power microwave weapon system represents a paradigm shift in asymmetric warfare, specifically engineered to neutralise mini and micro-UAVs before they can reach their targets.
Unlike traditional kinetic interception, Ejderha utilises high-power electromagnetic wave technology to fry the electronic circuitry of incoming drones, rendering them useless in mid-air.
This capability is particularly decisive against UAV swarms, where the volume of threats can overwhelm conventional air defence systems. By creating a wide-area electromagnetic barrier, Ejderha ensures that even the most sophisticated swarm formations are dismantled simultaneously.
The latest evolution of the system marks its transition into a fully autonomous, stand-alone powerhouse.
Now featuring an onboard, high-precision radar and enhanced electro-optical tracking suites, Ejderha can detect, identify, and engage threats without external intervention.
This self-contained operational logic, combined with improved engagement effectiveness, makes it an essential asset for the rapid protection of critical infrastructure and mobile military convoys in high-threat environments.
As the era of asymmetric drone warfare matures, Aselsan is pioneering the next frontier of interception with the debut of Gokalp and Migfer —two distinct solutions specifically engineered to counter the lethal rise of FPV and kamikaze UAVs.
As an AI-powered, high-speed interceptor, Gokalp is designed for high-precision, drone-on-drone engagement. Utilising advanced smart tracking algorithms, it can autonomously pursue and neutralise agile threats through direct kinetic impact.
This 'hunter-killer' capability places Aselsan in an elite group of global defence providers capable of executing fully automatic, high-stakes interceptions in the sky, effectively fighting fire with fire.
On the ground, the Migfer self-protection FPV interception system offers a critical 'hard-kill' shield for frontline units.
Integrated onto 4x4 armoured vehicles, Migfer is built to safeguard high-value assets such as main battle tanks and personnel carriers from the growing threat of micro-drones.
The system employs dual smoothbore shotguns loaded with specialised anti-UAV ammunition to create a 150-metre 'lethal zone.'
Rounding out its comprehensive counter-UAV ecosystem, Aselsan unveiled the latest iteration of Gokberk — a 10kW directed energy weapon system that marks a new era in precision air defence.
By utilising directed energy, the system offers a virtually 'infinite magazine,' eliminating the logistics and costs associated with traditional kinetic interceptors.
