Rio de Janeiro once again becomes the epicenter of innovation in defense and security in Latin America with a new edition of LAAD Defence & Security 2025, where Zona Militar had the exclusive opportunity to speak with Ahmet Akyol, President & CEO of ASELSAN, about the company’s main projects and developments.
To begin with, it is worth noting that the Turkish firm ranks among the ten largest defense companies in the world, having experienced exponential growth since the 1970s. Specializing in a highly versatile product portfolio and with a strong focus on electronic systems production, ASELSAN is taking this edition as an opportunity to promote its modernization and efficiency-driven approach.
Throughout the exclusive interview, the CEO highlighted several key areas of the company’s product portfolio, including those aimed at public security, defense systems—specifically guidance kits, drones, and communications—and boosting modernization capabilities across air, naval, and land platforms.
Currently, ASELSAN is aiming to expand its international presence, a goal reflected in its strong participation at LAAD 2025. With a focus on collaborating with other nations and Latin American companies, the firm seeks to increase its global footprint through joint ventures and partnerships, which are now established in over 20 countries.
Below is the exclusive interview with Zona Militar.
Zona Militar: As we approach the 15th edition of LAAD, the most important defense exhibition in Latin America, what are ASELSAN’s expectations for the event and the region?
Ahmet Akyol: First of all, ASELSAN is Turkey’s leading defense electronics company. We started with 4 engineers in 1975, and now we are approximately 12,000. We’ve launched the next phase, aselsaneXt, a 10 to 20-year program aiming to become the country’s leader. We are one of the largest defense companies globally, and one of the 10 fastest-growing companies—fully promising.
The idea is to increase our capacity through internationalization; that’s what aselsaneXt is all about. With this policy, just last year we expanded into 6 new countries in terms of active presence through joint ventures. In total, ASELSAN operates in over 20 countries, with offices, branches, and more.
One of these is in Santiago, Chile—ASELSAN Latin America—established last year. The goal is to increase the company’s regional presence and seek collaboration opportunities in Brazil as well. Our portfolio and experience can be very valuable for other platforms in the region. This is our main objective for Latin America: to showcase our products, seek partnerships, and build alliances. We’re very pleased with the region’s interest in ASELSAN products.
“This is our main objective for Latin America: to showcase our products, seek partnerships, and build alliances. We’re very pleased with the region’s interest in ASELSAN products“.
In this region, public security is crucial. There are many scenarios related to this, such as immigration. Public security is one of ASELSAN’s key focus areas in terms of technology. We are Turkey’s main supplier of public security and related solutions (ranging from communications and surveillance to other fields). Radars, optics, seismic sensors, fiber sensors, and AI-based command and control systems within the BorderGuard system—this is also one of our specialties.
The second area is public surveillance. In Turkey, we implemented a police surveillance camera system, all connected to a single network. That’s 150,000 cameras coordinated together. Lastly, communications systems are fundamental for us and for offering in new markets. Together, these are our three main public security solutions. We also highlight drone operators that support these solutions and help address these challenges.
For example, we are the largest drone producers and suppliers in Turkey. In such a vast country, defense, border security, and public safety are crucial, and drones are very effective tools to tackle issues like immigration and illegal activities.
ZM: Could you tell us about the products and services that the company is presenting at LAAD 2025?
AA: ASELSAN is the leading provider of drone cameras, radar systems, drone-based electronic warfare pods, drone-based communication systems, and, if necessary, military drones. ASELSAN can deliver these complete solutions and systems in this region.
I can say that public security and defense are very important, and we’re trying to demonstrate that at this exhibition (which is also key for potential partnerships). We can provide additional capabilities, for example, if drones are used for military purposes. In that case, you need munitions. Guided and smart munitions are one of our specialties—we’re key suppliers in Turkey.
Here at LAAD, we’re showcasing five types of solutions in terms of guidance kits and munitions, such as laser kits, range optimization kits, GPS/INS kits, and more. We can provide these solutions to the Armed Forces in this region, and we are open to collaborating to deliver these solutions within the family of guided kits. Moreover, these smart guidance kits can be adapted to other platforms, enhancing their effectiveness in potential conflict scenarios. At ASELSAN, we’ve tested the capabilities of these kits and smart munitions, such as engaging moving targets in operational scenarios. We know that moving targets are harder to strike, so we created guidance solutions to attack them with greater precision. The usual munition is Tolun, while the economical solution is GÖKTAN for ground engagements instead of air-to-ground scenarios.
ZM: What can you tell us about the new GÖKBERK laser air defense system against drones?
AA: As mentioned earlier, we are the main provider of aerial solutions in our region. We offer systems ranging from very short-range anti-drone systems to long-range air defense. Every country needs additional anti-drone capabilities, and we have multiple such systems available for the Armed Forces, which we can supply.
For instance, with the emergence of kamikaze drones, new challenges have arisen. Existing solutions were not efficient, and a response was needed for specific scenarios. In this context, we developed GÖKBERK, a system that also includes a laser source. And now, ASELSAN can effectively counter them. This is our main goal: to reach our highest objectives and make them a reality—then scale them.
ZM: In April 2024, ASELSAN opened a new commercial office in Santiago, Chile. With the aim of continuing expansion in Latin America, what have been your main activities so far?
AA: Our government is very open to new collaborations, and this is also a goal for ASELSAN. We try to be as objective and efficient as possible in terms of our company, as well as in logistics, training, technology, etc., wherever we operate. We have an international standard, combining effectiveness, sustainability, and cost-efficiency.
We aim to increase our presence in the region, including in Brazil. Public security in the region is crucial and one of ASELSAN’s key areas. Mainly border security, public safety, secure communications, and finally, public surveillance. Systems like radars and optics for this field are already operational in Turkey.
Turkey is a leading drone manufacturer, so emphasizing the use of drones to support public security in the region is another objective. In this regard, drones can be very useful for these countries (in Latin America), and ASELSAN can provide drone cameras, radars, electronic warfare pods, or communications systems. Even more so, for anything related to border security.
Now, with these offices, centers, and production facilities, we hope to generate local partnerships. Chile is an example in this region. And, if possible, we would be happy to create new joint ventures in Latin America for future solutions.
Additionally, the company can work on modernization projects in the region. Mainly because, as a defense electronics company, modernization is a key area—this is more than obvious. Our main focus is electronics. Modernization projects often include electronics […] In the Navy, in Turkey, we managed to modernize MEKO-class systems. As a defense electronics company, we were the prime contractors for this project. We can completely overhaul a platform’s electronics, including radars, optics—even in the Americas.
“In the Navy, in Turkey, we managed to modernize MEKO-class systems.”
Furthermore, this can be done not only on frigates but also on helicopters. This can be done not only on frigates, but also on naval and aerial platforms, such as aircraft, where we have multiple modernization projects, both in Turkey and abroad. What we offer meets NATO standards. Therefore, we can say that the level of technology and solution is of international standard. We always strive to be a cost-effective, reliable, and sustainable partner.
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