Unmanned technology is no longer a concept of the future—it has become a central pillar in new approaches to military and security operations. For ASELSAN, Turkiye’s leading defense electronics company, investment in unmanned systems is a major cornerstone of its long-term strategic planning.
According to ASELSAN CEO Ahmet Akyol, unmanned systems are now as strategically vital as air defense and maritime technologies in the company’s development roadmap. In an interview during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), he explained that ASELSAN is actively developing a wide range of unmanned systems that span land, sea, and air domains.
Expanding Capabilities Across Domains
ASELSAN’s current focus includes the development of payload systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). These payloads comprise internally developed optical systems, radars, electronic warfare suites, and a variety of sensors.
Ahmet Akyol highlighted ASELSAN’s efforts in creating stealth payloads for fifth-generation UAVs and future fighter aircraft. In such aerial platforms, undetectable payload capability becomes a critical factor. As a result, ASELSAN is investing in the development of low-observable sensor technologies that can function effectively without revealing their position or heat signature.
Apart from UAVs, underwater systems are also a major area of focus for ASELSAN. Photo: ASELSAN
Pioneering Underwater Systems
Apart from UAVs, underwater systems are also a major area of focus. According to Akyol, ASELSAN is now in the product delivery phase for this category. Delivered products include low-frequency sonar, sonobuoys, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) designed for deep-sea surveillance, data collection, and tactical missions.
ASELSAN’s role in unmanned systems development not only strengthens Turkiye’s position in global defense technology but also has a direct impact on strategic partners like Malaysia. In the region, several ASELSAN unmanned systems have been deployed, including remotely controlled weapon stations and tactical communication systems integrated into ground vehicles.
Boosting Malaysia’s Local Industry
In the Malaysian context, ASELSAN has expressed its readiness to support the development of the local unmanned systems industry. This includes technology transfer, local production, and co-design of tactical systems tailored to Malaysia’s operational requirements. Several cooperation agreements were also signed during LIMA to advance these goals.
Unmanned systems are increasingly relevant in today’s world as they reduce risks to personnel while enhancing operational efficiency across diverse environments. Whether on land, in the air, or at sea, these systems allow for surveillance and defense operations to be conducted remotely without compromising human safety.
Ahmet Akyol emphasized that investment in unmanned systems is not confined to military applications. Some of the technologies are adaptable for civilian use, including border surveillance, disaster management, and search and rescue operations.
Defining the Future of Defense
Through a combination of innovation, engineering design, and strategic insight into current needs, ASELSAN has made unmanned systems a core component of the future of defense. With the rapid advancement of these technologies, it is no exaggeration to say that the future of global defense will increasingly rely on autonomous and intelligent systems.
The unmanned systems revolution is well underway, and ASELSAN is at the forefront, redefining how we defend our land, sea, and air domains. – airtimes.my
