Newsletters
Turkish defense company Aselsan has been selected as one of five firms chosen by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) for the Modular Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) concept phase, marking significant international recognition of Türkiye's air defense technological capabilities.
Aselsan will work alongside global defense giants Airbus Defence and Space GmbH, Lockheed Martin UK, Raytheon, and Thales LAS in developing modular air defense solutions for NATO alliance requirements.
The framework agreement represents validation of Türkiye's technological capabilities in air defense on an international scale, according to defense industry sources.
In a statement, NSPA said that under the agreement, the five contractors will initially focus on concept studies involving system architecture development. The comprehensive system architecture framework will guide future work on modularity and new technologies.
Project deliverables are planned for mid-September, with the most suitable system architectures to be evaluated based on these submissions.
The participating companies will contribute to modular GBAD solutions through independent and innovative perspectives within a competitive structure.
The project aims to develop flexible, interoperable, and sustainable system infrastructures that meet NATO's operational and logistical capability requirements.
The agreement signed by NSPA with five different companies demonstrates effective coordination among GBAD support partnership countries and successful operation of NATO's internal defense procurement structures.
NATO Support and Procurement Agency emphasized that this step advances its goal of becoming the preferred center for multinational defense procurement.
Aselsan's inclusion in the project reflects Türkiye's long-term contributions to layered air defense architecture. Turkish-produced barrel systems and short, medium, and long-range air defense missile systems demonstrate Aselsan's competence in this field.
The domestically developed Aselsan HAKIM 100 Air Command Control System integrates data from different types of sensors to create a defined air picture. The system enables effective airspace control at the operational level by directing both ground-based air defense systems and fighter aircraft through its threat assessment and hunter/weapon allocation algorithms.
Türkiye's Steel Dome architecture, created with systems having different ranges and layers, was influential in Aselsan's selection for this critical NATO project.
Many NATO member countries use different air defense systems, creating interoperability challenges. While Türkiye uses the HISAR air defense system, some countries prefer Patriot systems, while others choose different solutions.
Creating a common architectural framework to ensure future interoperability of these systems carries great importance for alliance capabilities.
Aselsan's direct contribution to this process among the five selected companies strengthens Türkiye's identity not only as a user but also as a system designer and technology developer.
The Modular GBAD project represents NATO's effort to standardize air defense capabilities across the alliance while maintaining flexibility for national requirements.
Modular GBAD High Visibility Project launched by 10 Allies in the margins of the October 2020 virtual Defence Ministers Meeting. Envisioned target for Memorandum of Understanding signature by Defence Ministers for potentially initiating procurement/ development activities in 2022.
Aselsan's participation demonstrates the maturity of Turkish defense industry capabilities and the company's ability to compete with established international defense contractors.
The modular approach allows for the integration of various air defense components from different manufacturers while maintaining operational effectiveness and strategic interoperability.
The concept phase represents the initial stage of a potentially larger NATO air defense modernization program. Following the September deliverables review, selected architectures may advance to the development and testing phases.
The competitive structure ensures that NATO receives the most innovative and cost-effective solutions while encouraging technological advancement among participating companies. Aselsan's involvement positions Turkish defense industry expertise at the forefront of NATO's next-generation air defense planning and development efforts.
1 min read
2 min read
