ASELSAN Expands Air Defense And Electronic Warfare Capabilities At EFES 2026 Exercise

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Executive Summary:

ASELSAN used the EFES 2026 military exercise to demonstrate a broad portfolio of air defense, electronic warfare, command-and-control, and surveillance systems operating in realistic battlefield conditions. The event highlighted Türkiye’s growing focus on integrated, networked defense architectures designed to counter modern aerial and electronic threats while improving battlefield awareness and operational coordination.

ASELSAN EFES 2026 Demonstrates Integrated Battlefield Capabilities

ASELSAN EFES 2026 participation underscored the Turkish defense company’s emphasis on integrated air defense, electronic warfare, and command-and-control technologies during one of the region’s most significant multinational military exercises. Organized under the coordination of the Turkish Armed Forces, EFES 2026 brought together military delegations, defense officials, and industry representatives from numerous countries.

The exercise served as both a military readiness event and a major defense industry showcase, allowing companies to demonstrate operational systems in realistic scenarios. ASELSAN deployed more than 30 systems across multiple mission areas, including air defense, electronic warfare, surveillance, communications, and battlefield management.

KOCATEPE Battlefield Management System Debuts At EFES

One of the most significant developments during the exercise was the operational use of ASELSAN’s KOCATEPE Battlefield Management System for the first time at EFES. The system provided commanders and command post personnel with a comprehensive operational picture across multiple battlefield levels.

The debut reflects a broader trend in modern warfare, where command superiority increasingly depends on the rapid collection, processing, and dissemination of battlefield information. Modern armed forces are investing heavily in digital command networks that connect sensors, weapons, and decision-makers in near real time.

From a strategic perspective, systems such as KOCATEPE are becoming as important as traditional combat platforms because they enable forces to coordinate responses against fast-moving threats ranging from drones to precision-guided munitions.

Air Defense Systems Take Center Stage

Air defense remained a central focus of ASELSAN’s presence at EFES 2026.

Among the most visible systems were the KORKUT-35 Low Altitude Air Defense System and KORKUT-25 Air Defense System, both designed to counter low-flying threats including unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, and cruise missiles. According to exercise reports, KORKUT-35 demonstrated its capability to engage aerial targets using airburst ammunition, providing day-and-night protection against evolving threats.

ASELSAN also displayed components associated with Türkiye’s emerging STEEL DOME integrated air and missile defense architecture. The architecture combines multiple sensor, command, electronic warfare, and interceptor layers into a unified defensive network. Key elements include the SİPER and HİSAR missile defense systems, which were among the systems participating in the exercise.

The growing emphasis on layered air defense reflects lessons learned from recent conflicts where drones, loitering munitions, and precision-guided weapons have become major battlefield threats. Nations increasingly seek integrated systems capable of detecting, tracking, and engaging targets across multiple ranges and altitudes.

Electronic Warfare And Counter-Drone Systems Highlight Emerging Priorities

Electronic warfare was another major theme throughout ASELSAN’s EFES 2026 presentation.

The company showcased several systems designed to detect, disrupt, and counter adversary communications and unmanned systems. Participating platforms included the MİLKED Land-Based Electronic Support System, the ACAR UAV Detection Radar, and the İHTAR Counter-UAV System.

ASELSAN also deployed ARTSoft MAESTRO, a secure communication platform designed to support messaging, file transfers, and live video communications in electronically contested environments. The software was reportedly used during the exercise to demonstrate resilient communications under battlefield conditions.

The prominence of electronic warfare systems at EFES reflects a broader shift in military planning. Modern conflicts increasingly involve battles within the electromagnetic spectrum, where the ability to disrupt enemy sensors and communications can be as decisive as kinetic firepower.

Why EFES 2026 Matters Beyond The Demonstration

While defense exhibitions often focus on static displays, EFES 2026 offered an opportunity to observe how systems perform in operational environments alongside active military units.

For ASELSAN, demonstrating systems under realistic conditions provides validation of integration, interoperability, and operational readiness. It also supports Türkiye’s broader effort to position domestically developed defense technologies as exportable solutions for international customers. Foreign military delegations and industry representatives closely examined many of the systems displayed throughout the exercise.

The exercise further highlighted Türkiye’s strategy of building interconnected defense ecosystems rather than relying solely on standalone platforms. Air defense systems, electronic warfare assets, surveillance sensors, command networks, and secure communications are increasingly being developed as components of a larger operational architecture.

As military threats become more complex and multidimensional, integrated defense networks such as those demonstrated during EFES 2026 are likely to play a growing role in future force modernization programs.

Conclusion

ASELSAN’s participation at EFES 2026 showcased a comprehensive portfolio of fielded and emerging technologies spanning air defense, electronic warfare, surveillance, communications, and battlefield management. The first exercise deployment of the KOCATEPE Battlefield Management System, alongside demonstrations of KORKUT air defense systems and STEEL DOME components, highlighted Türkiye’s continued focus on integrated, networked defense capabilities.

Beyond individual platforms, the exercise demonstrated how modern military effectiveness increasingly depends on connecting sensors, command systems, electronic warfare assets, and defensive weapons into a unified operational framework capable of responding to evolving threats across multiple domains.