KORKUT 35 Air Defense System, developed by ASELSAN, exhibited its capabilities in the firing demonstration attended by international defense delegations from 12 countries.
ASELSAN held a comprehensive firing demonstration for the KORKUT 35 Air Defense System for international defense delegations in the Karapınar district of Konya. Defense delegations from 12 countries attended the demonstration held at the Ministry of National Defense Karapınar Shooting Test and Evaluation Group Command test site.
In the shooting tests, KORKUT 35's ability to make precise shots not only in a stationary position but also while moving was demonstrated. In addition, the system's processes of detecting, tracking, engaging and destroying air targets under representative operational conditions were also demonstrated.
KORKUT was demonstrated against 35 different air threats
During the screenings, KORKUT 35's capabilities that can be used against different air threats such as warplanes, cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, helicopters and UAVs were highlighted.
However, it was stated that this demonstration focused especially on the defense aspect against the kamikaze UAV threat. The increasing threats posed by low-cost and unmanned aerial vehicles in terms of air defense in recent years also increases the importance of close air defense systems.
It was stated that KORKUT 35 successfully engaged different fixed and delta wing UAVs within the scope of the demonstration. Thus, the system's tracking and engagement capability against air targets with different flight characteristics was demonstrated.
Engagement against moving UAV targets
One of the striking features of KORKUT 35 in the demonstration was that the system and the target were in motion in different scenarios.
During the shooting activities, KORKUT 35's precision shooting capability against air targets while in motion was demonstrated. This feature makes the system not only a solution for the protection of fixed facilities or positions, but also an air defense platform that can be used with mobile troops.
Being able to engage by maintaining mobility against UAVs and other low-altitude threats that may arise especially during the advance of ground troops stands out as one of the important elements of the mobile air defense concept.
Integrated into 8×8 tactical vehicle
In another important part of the demonstration, KORKUT 35 was used with its integrated configuration on an 8×8 tactical wheeled vehicle.
In this scenario, shooting was carried out while both the air defense system and the ground target were in motion. The sensitivity and shot distribution capabilities of KORKUT 35 against moving land targets were also demonstrated.
8×8 vehicle integration allows the system to be positioned to function with different mobile units. Thus, the air defense element gains a mobile structure that can move together with the troops that need to be protected.
Close air defense against the Kamikaze UAV threat
In the demonstration of KORKUT 35 to international delegations, defense against kamikaze UAVs was particularly highlighted.
Kamikaze UAVs have become one of the important threat categories in modern air defense architectures because they can be developed at relatively low cost and used against critical targets.
Systems used to defend against such targets must not only detect the target, but also be able to track and engage in a short time. At the demonstration in Karapınar, these capabilities were demonstrated with KORKUT 35's engagements against different UAV targets.
KORKUT family is expanding
KORKUT 35 stands out as one of the new generation solutions of ASELSAN's system family in the field of close and low altitude air defense.
ASELSAN has previously exhibited different configurations of the KORKUT family at international events. For example, the KORKUT 100/25 system was introduced to the international public at the DSEI defense fair in England in 2025 and was highlighted as a solution that can be used against mini-micro drones.
KORKUT systems are among the solutions included in Turkey's layered air defense approach. It was announced that it took part in different air defense systems in addition to KORKUT within the scope of EFES-2026.
The role of KORKUT in ÇELİKKUBBE architecture
KORKUT is positioned as one of the systems operating within Turkey's layered air defense architecture ÇELİKKUBBE.
In the ÇELİKKUBBE approach, the aim is for radar, sensors, command-control and preventive systems operating at different range and altitude levels to work together. KORKUT, on the other hand, operates in the artillery-based defense layer, especially against low-altitude threats.
For this reason, KORKUT 35's mobile structure and capabilities against UAV threats are considered as a part of the efforts to strengthen low-altitude air defense in terms of mobile elements.
International delegations saw the system on the field
One of the important aspects of the shooting demonstration in Karapınar was that KORKUT 35 was demonstrated not only in a static exhibition area, but also in representative operational conditions with real fire.
Defense delegations from 12 countries; He monitored the system's mobility, target detection and tracking processes, and engagements against different targets on site.
The screening also draws attention in terms of KORKUT 35's promotional activities towards potential user countries. However, the demonstration alone does not mean that an export agreement has been signed with any country.
