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Erdogan states Turkey intends to have \Steel Dome\ air defence system

President Tayyip Erdogan stated on Tuesday that Turkey aimed to have its own Steel Dome multilayered air defence system soon, including that Ankara would also increase its longrange rocket capabilities.

NATO member Turkey has in recent years significantly reduced its dependence on external suppliers of defence devices. It has ended up being a leading producer of armed drones for the international market and produces much of its own defence requires in your home.

Speaking at a ceremony in Ankara to inaugurate the home-made Gokbey helicopter for usage by the gendarmerie at the headquarters of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS), which was targeted by a fatal Kurdish militant attack last week, Erdogan likened the Steel Dome to Israel's renowned Iron Dome.

It is understood better now how essential our multi-layered air defence systems are for our security. If they ( Israel) have an 'Iron Dome', we will have a 'Steel Dome'. We won't look at them and say 'why don't we have this', Erdogan said, without offering a specific timeline.

We will increase our long-range missile abilities during this period too, he added, saying Turkey would not rest up until it achieved complete independence in the defence industry.

Israel's Iron Dome air defence system was developed to intercept rockets fired into its area. It ended up being operational in 2011, and uses truck-towed units of radar-guided missiles to blow up short-range hazards like rockets, mortars and drones in mid-air.

It likewise deployed a marine version of the Iron Dome in 2017 to safeguard ships and sea-based assets.

The system identifies whether a rocket is on course to strike a. populated area; if not, the rocket is overlooked and permitted to. land harmlessly.

The United States enforced sanctions on Turkey's defence. market in December 2020 over its NATO ally's acquisition of. Russia's S-400 rocket defence system. It likewise expelled Ankara. from the F-35 stealth fighter jet program, where it was a. manufacturer and buyer.

(source: Reuters)