Aselsan has unveiled a domestically produced infrared detector, marking Türkiye's entry into a select group of nations capable of manufacturing this advanced technology.

The Turkish defense industry has reached $11.2 billion in exports, marking a 40% increase over the previous year. As part of this growth, the company Aselsan has developed a new infrared detector, a technology previously limited to a small number of countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Japan, and China. This development is intended to strengthen domestic capabilities and reduce reliance on external suppliers for critical military hardware.

Strategic Integration and Operational Impact

The new infrared detectors are designed for integration into a variety of strategic platforms, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), armored forces, tanks, and missile defense systems. Specifically, they will be used in the Altay main battle tank, the Bayraktar Kızılelma unmanned combat aerial vehicle, and the Steel Dome air defense system. By enhancing night vision and target detection, these systems aim to maintain operational effectiveness in challenging weather conditions and extend the duration that platforms can remain active on the battlefield. The development of this technology was influenced by operational requirements observed in conflicts in Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and Iran. Beyond current combat platforms, the industry plans to integrate these detectors into missile seeker heads and electro-optical systems, with future goals including precision strikes over long distances and the deployment of infrared seeker systems in air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles.

Industry Growth and Global Context

The Turkish defense sector currently comprises approximately 3,500 companies, with an export strategy that aims to reach $15 billion when including defense-related services. Between 1974 and 2026, the sector generated nearly $70 billion in exports, a figure projected to exceed $150 billion by 2030. Industry leaders emphasize that the sector is evolving toward a model of technological independence, with infrared detectors serving as a key example of the "Made in Türkiye" brand. Globally, the infrared detector market is dominated by the United States, which is estimated to hold a 50% market share. Other nations have adopted varying strategies: Japan utilizes dual-use technologies through major corporations like Mitsubishi and NEC, while China focuses on state-led domestic production. Türkiye’s current objective is to increase its share of global defense exports to 3% while continuing to build a fully integrated, independent defense ecosystem.