Turkey’s Aselsan tests laser counter-drone system, part of Steel Dome project

Aselsan’s counter drone high energy laser GÖKBERK (Aselsan)

BEIRUT — Turkish firm Aselsan has tested successfully a mobile laser weapon system, dubbed GÖKBERK, against first-person-view (FPV) drones, the company said today in a statement.

GÖKBERK detected, automatically tracked, and destroyed FPV threats in different scenarios. The firm said that the system will play a “critical role in Türkiye’s national air defense system, Steel Dome.”

Aselsan “continues to take important steps in the field of directed energy weapons, one of the new generation technologies. Previously proven effective against rotary- and fixed-wing kamikaze drones, GÖKBERK now showcased its advanced capabilities by detecting, autonomously tracking, and eliminating FPV drones across multiple test scenarios, demonstrating exceptional speed and precision in engagement,” according to the statement.

The system uses an electronic jammer to enable the “soft kill” of drones, and an electronic laser for “hard kills” of FPVs of multiple sizes, including mini UAVs, micro UAVs and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).

Steel Dome is Turkey’s layered air defense system in development by Turkish firms to protect the air space against all types of threats, at a time demand on missile defense systems have surged in the Middle East due to latest conflicts in the region.

“The Steel Dome is very promising system. All nations want to have this kind of system,” Ahmet Akyol, president and CEO Aselsan, told Breaking Defense last month at the International Defense Expo in Abu Dhabi.

He added that Aselsan “can provide this solution for Turkey and for allied countries right now,” Akyol said. “So in Turkey, this is in progress. Every year we are delivering new systems of the Steel Dome concept, and it will be beneficial for our region.”

The firm distributed a video showing GÖKBERK composing of laser system, camera and thermal camera mounted on a vehicle and eliminating multiple types of drones.

“All major subcomponents of GÖKBERK have been designed and produced domestically, reinforcing Türkiye’s defense industry autonomy,” according to the company’s statement.

The firm added that the new system will be deployed to military bases, airports, power plants and oil refineries protection.