Türkiye defence company Aselsan has confirmed a successful first live fire test of its GÖKSUR Vertical Launch System (VLS) from a Turkish Navy surface platform.
Conducted on 16 February 2025 from the TCG Beykoz vessel, off the coast of Sinop, in northern Türkiye, the test marks a milestone for the national naval point defence missile system.
The GÖKSUR system forms a part of Türkiye's multi-layered air defence system named Steel Dome.
It demonstrated its effectiveness in protecting naval assets against a wide range of threats including anti-ship, cruise missiles, armed and unarmed aerial vehicles, fighter jets, and helicopters.
Developed in collaboration with TÜBİTAK SAGE, the GÖKSUR IIR missile within the system is equipped with a bi-directional data link for communication.
The company presented the new configuration of GÖKSUR Point Missile Defense System at the Euronaval 2024 exhibition in Paris, which took place in November.
The system offers multiple configurations, including the GÖKSUR 100-N VLS, GÖKSUR 100-N/StA with stand-alone operation capability, and the newly unveiled GÖKSUR 100-N with a 20-missile setup.
It includes a 360-degree threat neutralisation feature, advanced infrared seeker-guided munitions, and an AI-supported fire control system.
This design allows for seamless integration with various platform sizes and can operate independently or in conjunction with the platform's combat management system.
The system's data link capabilities enable uplink and downlink mid-course guidance, enhancing Türkiye's naval defence capabilities.
Earlier in February 2025, the company reported more than $1bn (Tl36bn) in export contracts in 2024, with direct exports reaching $217m and indirect exports culminating in a total export volume of $508m.
This announcement comes after Aselsan unveiled its anti-drone systems during a launch ceremony on the first day of SAHA EXPO 2024 last October.
The systems included KORKUT 25 mm, BUKALEMUN, KANGAL-FPV, and SEDA 100-cUAV.
