Newsletters
Aselsan, a defense contractor, unveiled the capabilities of its Ejderha (Dragon) High-Power Electromagnetic Countermeasure System, a directed energy weapon designed to neutralize unmanned aerial vehicle threats from a safe distance through high-power electromagnetic waves rather than physical explosives.
The system, which will enter operational deployment this year after completing low-volume serial production, demonstrated its effectiveness against multiple drone scenarios during a demonstration at Aselsan's Golbek Technology Base.
Officials from Türkiye's Presidential Defense Industries Directorate (SSB) and various security units attended the capability demonstration.
"Ejderha renders targets inactive through high-power electromagnetic waves rather than physical explosion," said the presenter during the demonstration.
"These waves damage and disable electronic circuits in targets, and since electromagnetic waves travel at the speed of light, escape from Ejderha is impossible," it was also noted during the demonstration.
The system operates as a key component of Steel Dome, a multi-layered integrated defense solution developed by Türkiye to address evolving aerial threats.
Unlike traditional missiles, ammunition, and projectile systems, Ejderha operates in the directed energy weapon category and offers significant operational and financial advantages.
The cost per engagement is significantly lower than that of traditional missile systems. Additionally, as long as a power source remains available, the system can continue operating—eliminating ammunition depletion, a constant concern for conventional air defense platforms.
The system disables navigation, communication and command/control systems of unmanned aerial vehicles from safe distances. It can render inactive electronic components and systems of any type of UAV classified as a tactical field threat containing electronic circuits.
During the demonstration, the Ejderha system was tested against multiple drone configurations from hundreds of meters away.
In the first scenario, Ejderha demonstrated simultaneous effectiveness against three wired FPV drone targets. Within seconds of system activation, the multiple drone threat was neutralized.
In the second scenario, the system disabled one wired FPV drone and one wireless FPV drone positioned at different angles. The demonstration also showed the system's effectiveness against Mugin motors, Talon wings, and Pal servo motors.
"Ejderha successfully completed its task in all scenarios," according to officials observing the tests. Participants were informed of the system's operational ease of use and fast reaction time.
Türkiye's development of Ejderha addresses what military analysts describe as an evolving threat landscape. Silent, invisible and artificially intelligent next-generation drones have become what officials characterize as "invisible enemies" of battlefields, cities and critical infrastructure.
"Traditional systems are proving insufficient," according to defense officials. "New-generation threats require only new-generation solutions."
High-power electromagnetic systems now rank among the most critical counter-UAV technologies, with Ejderha representing Aselsan's response to this identified need.
The Ejderha/AD 200 system uses vacuum electronics technology to generate high-power electromagnetic waves from a mobile platform. The system can operate from hundreds of meters away against drone targets.
Evaluations following real-time applications during testing stated that the test process met expectations and officials expressed satisfaction with system performance.
The system will enter operational deployment with Türkiye's security forces this year following completion of its low-volume serial production phase.
Set as preferred source
4 min read
