ASELSAN Showcases Naval AI Systems at Defense Expo
Turkish defense firm ASELSAN highlighted its latest naval defense systems, which incorporate artificial intelligence, at the WDS 2026 exhibition. The systems are designed for command, control, and targeting in maritime applications. ASELSAN's presence at major defense expos signals its strategic focus on becoming a leading regional provider of military AI technologies.
- ASELSAN's Q1 2025 financial results show a total backlog of $15 billion, a 35% increase, with new export contracts soaring by 220% to reach $372 million. The company's R&D expenditures also rose by 33% to $250 million in the same period. - The company's AI-powered systems include the GÖKSUR VLS, a naval point defense missile system designed to counter sea-skimming cruise missiles and UAVs by engaging multiple targets simultaneously. For undersea operations, the DERİNGÖZ Autonomous Underwater Vehicle provides surveillance and mine countermeasure capabilities. - At WDS 2026, ASELSAN CEO Ahmet Akyol highlighted the company's cooperation with the Turkish Navy in applying AI and machine learning for acoustic signature processing using its DÜFAS towed sonar and aselBUOY passive sonobuoys. - Turkey's broader defense industry is experiencing rapid growth, with exports reaching $7.15 billion in 2024, a 29% year-over-year increase, and a portfolio of projects valued at over $100 billion. The sector, comprising 3,500 companies, now meets over 70% of the country's defense needs with domestic production. - The application of AI in naval warfare extends beyond targeting to include enhanced situational awareness through the fusion of data from satellites, radar, and sonar, as well as enabling autonomous operations for unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). - Venture capital is flowing into the Turkish deeptech defense space through vehicles like the "Innovative and Advanced Technologies Venture Capital Investment Fund," which backs dual-use technology companies. Globally, VC investment into defense tech startups, including those focused on AI and cybersecurity, reached $34 billion in 2022. - ASELSAN's naval portfolio is designed for integration, allowing systems like the HIZIR torpedo countermeasure system to work directly with a vessel's combat management system to localize threats and deploy acoustic decoys and jammers.
