Established in 1975, ASELSAN stands as Türkiye’s leading defence technology company. Over nearly five decades, it has evolved into a global powerhouse, delivering advanced solutions across the defence, communication, and technology sectors. The company has made significant strides on the international stage, climbing to 42nd position in the 2024 Defense News Top 100 list, with defence revenues of nearly USD $3 billion in 2023. With a presence in 88 countries and an impressive USD $11.1 billion in total contract value, ASELSAN continues to grow through cutting-edge solutions and a strong focus on export-oriented innovation. [source, source, source, source]
Images Sourced From: TurkPress, Vitaly V. Kuzmin, Railly News, Daily Sabah
1 History
ASELSAN was established in 1975 to address the Turkish Armed Forces’ need for communication equipment. The following year, M. Hâcim Kamoy was appointed as the company’s first general manager. By 1978, ASELSAN’s Macunköy, Ankara facilities were completed, and manufacturing began. In the early 1980s, the company delivered its first manpack and tank radios. Additionally, it designed handheld radios and bank alarm systems and achieved its first export. During the mid-1980s, ASELSAN expanded its product range, adding field telephones, computer-controlled central systems, and laser distance-measuring devices to its inventory. Moreover, it contributed to Turkish defence capabilities with electronic warfare and data terminal equipment. By the late 1980s, the company had produced avionics for the F-16 program and had participated in NATO’s Stinger missile production, thus showcasing its growing technical expertise. Throughout the 1990s, ASELSAN continued to broaden its portfolio, introducing radar systems, electro-optical technologies, thermal imaging devices, and missile warning systems, which strengthened both national and international partnerships. By the 2000s, ASELSAN had grown into a global defence leader, steadily climbing industry rankings, securing large-scale contracts, and achieving significant R&D milestones. [source]
1.1 Logo
2 Organisational Structure
3 Aselsan’s presence around the world
3.1 Global Expansion
ASELSAN has steadily expanded its international presence, thereby building partnerships and establishing operations in numerous countries. Consequently, the company has successfully exported its products and solutions to over 80 nations. Moreover, it often forms strategic collaborations with local governments, defence organizations, and private sector firms. As a result, ASELSAN has opened regional offices and subsidiaries in key locations, enabling it to support clients on-site and, ultimately, strengthen its role in global defence markets. In addition, this international reach not only solidifies ASELSAN’s reputation as a leading defence contractor but also enables it to tailor its solutions to meet the unique needs of diverse markets. As a result, its cutting-edge technologies are available to military and security forces worldwide.
3.2 Key Regional Operations and Milestones
ASELSAN has associated companies in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. Notably, ASELSAN Baku, founded on 11 February 1998, was the first company established by ASELSAN abroad and currently produces civil and military hand-held radios in Azerbaijan. Furthermore, fully funded by ASELSAN with a starting capital of USD $500,000, ASELSAN Baku also operates in sales, maintenance, repair, and production. In addition, the company’s laser guidance kit, produced in 2018, was successfully integrated into ammunition developed by Azerbaijan. Moreover, in October 2015, the company announced plans to expand its South African business by seeking partnerships to form a private company out of its local branch, ASELSAN South Africa. In addition to this, ASELSAN established ASELSAN Ukraine on 1 September 2020 and ASELSAN Middle East in Jordan on 19 July 2012. [source]
3.3 New Regional Offices
On 2 September 2024, ASELSAN inaugurated a new regional office in Skopje, the capital city of North Macedonia, as part of its ongoing effort to strengthen its presence in the Balkans. This strategic move was aimed at enhancing partnerships, extending the company’s reach across both Western and Eastern European markets, and providing improved access to ASELSAN’s military and civilian solutions. [source]
3.4 Gulf Expansion and Recent Developments
Just in February 2025, it expanded its Middle Eastern footprint by opening an office in Muscat, Oman. This marks a continuation of Aselsan’s efforts to strengthen its presence in the Gulf region, where it already operates offices and subsidiaries in Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. According to the company’s announcement, the new Oman office will play a key role in advancing its global standing. Moreover, it will foster bilateral knowledge transfer, support capacity-building activities, and enable the production of innovative, game-changing technologies considered among the best in the defence industry.
Following this opening, ASELSAN promptly announced a new export deal worth $21.3 million. In particular, this deal involves the direct sale of military communication systems to a client in the Middle East and Africa. Although the agreement underscores ASELSAN’s growing influence and strategic collaborations in these regions, the company did not reveal the client’s identity. [source, source, source, source, source, source]
4 Equipment
ASELSAN specialises in a wide array of advanced technologies and systems, including military communication and information technologies, mission-critical communication systems, satellite and space technologies, and avionics and navigation systems. It also develops cutting-edge electro-optic systems, guidance and seeker systems, radar technologies, and electronic warfare system technologies. In addition, ASELSAN provides weapon systems for land and sea platforms, as well as naval and underwater systems. Its expertise extends to space, air, and missile systems, along with security systems and transportation solutions. Beyond defence, ASELSAN is involved in energy systems and health systems technologies, demonstrating its broad technological reach and commitment to innovation across multiple sectors. [source]
4.1 Weapons and Defence Systems
- GOKDENIZ close-in weapon system
- Hisar missiles
- KORKUT 35 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG)
- KORAL electronic warfare system
- Remote-controlled weapon stations (e.g., Aselsan SMASH, STOP, STAMP, STAMP-2, STAMP-G)
- POYRAZ ammunition transfer system (MTS)
- MURAD AESA Radar
- KALKAN air defence radar
- SAPAN programmable active/reactive electronic mixing system
- ZARGANA torpedo countermeasure system for submarines
- Mortar fire management system
4.2 Vehicles
- Albatros USV family (target craft)
- Albatros K catamaran-type unmanned surface vehicles
- Albatros-S swarm-type unmanned surface vehicle
- Albatros-T unmanned surface vehicles
- ARI 1-T rotary wing miniature UAV
- KAPLAN unmanned ground vehicle family
- LEVENT unmanned surface vehicle
- MIUS/MUAS miniature UAV
- Serçe miniature UAV
- UKAP unmanned ground vehicle
4.3 Communication Systems
- AYAC military routing and switching device
- Biometric integrity verification and access control systems (BKDGKS)
- Comparison of communication solutions
- Field telephone
- GRC-5220 tactical broadband Ethernet radio family
- Integrated marine communication systems
- IP remote control system
- Military G.SHDSL modems
- Mobile receiver-transmitter and repeater radio equipment – MATE
- Portable radio peripherals and accessories
- PRC V/UHF software-defined handheld radios
- Repeater radio and mobile repeater radio accessories
- TASMUS tactical field communication system
- Vehicle radio peripherals and accessories
- VRC-9661 in-vehicle remote control system
4.4 Naval and Marine Systems:
- Amphibious landing ship project (LST)
- Logistics support vessels (LDG)
- Multi-purpose amphibious assault ship (LHD)
- TURKUAZ seismic research ship scientific mission system
- MİLGEM combat system procurement project
4.5 Support Equipment:
- Mobile air traffic control tower
- Tactical fire direction system
- ZAMBAK helmet set units
5 Future
ASELSAN’s 2024-2028 Strategic Plan focuses on sustainable growth, reducing dependency on external markets, and creating value for stakeholders through innovation, market-centric strategies, and high-technology acquisition. The plan emphasizes expanding exports, strengthening customer trust, and enhancing the national industry ecosystem by integrating more local suppliers and achieving greater independence in critical technologies. By maintaining its leadership in R&D and fostering collaborations with universities, SMEs, and partners, ASELSAN aims to remain a global brand, provide first-to-market products, and continue shaping defence and non-defence sectors. The company’s strategic initiatives are guided by defined performance indicators and focus areas, ensuring agility, efficiency, and excellence in meeting future challenges. [source]
6 Conclusion
Looking forward, ASELSAN is poised to maintain its leadership in defence technology and expand its influence into non-defence sectors. By investing in research, fostering global partnerships, and embracing cutting-edge innovation, ASELSAN is prepared to meet future challenges, ensuring its position as a trusted and pioneering force in the global defence industry.
