Türkiye’s Aselsan Unveils Advanced Korkut Air Defense System

Turkish defense giant Aselsan has introduced a new version of its Korkut close-range air defense system, specifically engineered to counter emerging drone threats.

According to the company’s general manager, the upgraded system is equipped with 25-millimeter smart munitions capable of effectively neutralizing both first-person view (FPV) and tethered drones, The Caspian Post reports, citing Anadolu.

Ahmet Akyol, attending the Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2025 in London, said Aselsan has showcased more than 100 products as a participant since 1999.

“We unveiled the Korkut 100/25 for the first time in its complete form on the global stage as FPV, tethered, and kamikaze drones become widespread with the Russia-Ukraine war and other tensions in the region. We built the already-existing Korkut 100/35S to neutralize them, but the smaller and faster drones require a more capable solution, which is why we developed the Korkut 100/25,” he said.

Akyol said the Korkut 100/25 features a fire control system powered by artificial intelligence at its core, alongside Aselsan’s in-house 25 mm smart ammunition.

“It’s a system that can break into hundreds of pieces in the air and can know where the pieces will land and explode with the help of a locating laser and tracking radar,” he said. “After determining its position, it fires and creates a cloud in front of it to destroy the target, either from a mobile or rubber-wheeled vehicle.”

Akyol said Aselsan continues to support Türkiye’s multi-layered Steel Dome air defense system, having delivered 47 components in a ceremony on Aug. 27 attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“We aim to add new capabilities to our Steel Dome,” he noted, adding that the Korkut system has drawn worldwide attention as drone threats increase.

He said that while the 35 mm munition used in earlier Korkut systems has alternatives, the new 25 mm version is unique, equipped with advanced radars, optical systems, and laser rangefinders - all developed by Aselsan.