Guide to ASELSAN Radar Systems

Q: Which is ASELSAN's most advanced radar?

One of the most notable is the ÇAFRAD multifunction radar suite, which uses GaN-based AESA technology and was developed for the TF-2000 destroyer. 'Most advanced' depends on purpose: MURAD for the air role, RETİNAR for borders.

Q: On which platforms are ASELSAN radars used?

They are used on ships (ÇAFRAD), aircraft (MURAD), land air defense systems (KALKAN-II, EIRS) and border security (RETİNAR), among others.

Yazı Özetini Göster

ASELSAN radar systems sit among the company’s strongest fields. ASELSAN is Turkey’s national backbone in radar technology, developing a broad family of radars for naval, airborne, land and border applications. The common thread across this family is active electronically scanned array (AESA = a radar architecture in which thousands of small transmit/receive modules on the antenna steer the beam electronically, without mechanical rotation) technology. AESA radars can track multiple targets at once, resist jamming and offer high reliability. This guide introduces ASELSAN’s leading radar systems by application area.

ASELSAN radar systems at a glance

Radar	Type / function	Note
ÇAFRAD	Naval air defense radar suite (GaN AESA)	Multifunction radar for the TF-2000 air defense destroyer
MURAD	Airborne nose radar (AESA)	Air radar family for the national fighter and platforms
ALP	S-band AESA radar family	Surveillance and air defense applications
KALKAN-II	X-band air defense radar	Low-altitude target detection and tracking
EIRS	Early warning radar system	Long-range air picture and early warning
RETİNAR	Border/ground surveillance radar	Ground surveillance for personnel/vehicle detection

Source: ASELSAN official radar product pages (accessed July 2026).

Naval radar: ÇAFRAD

ASELSAN’s flagship in naval radar is ÇAFRAD (Multifunction Phased Array Radar). Developed for the TF-2000 air defense destroyer, ÇAFRAD is a suite combining several antennas working in different bands and using gallium nitride (GaN)-based AESA technology. GaN delivers higher power and efficiency than traditional materials, extending the radar’s range and resolution. ÇAFRAD detects and tracks many air and surface targets simultaneously, cueing the ship’s air defense weapons.

Airborne radar: MURAD and ALP

MURAD is the AESA nose radar family developed for the national fighter and other platforms, performing target detection, tracking and mapping in air-to-air and air-to-ground modes. ALP is an S-band AESA radar family used in surveillance and air defense roles. Both families show ASELSAN adapting its AESA expertise to different platform needs.

Air defense and early warning: KALKAN-II and EIRS

KALKAN-II is an X-band air defense radar that provides target data to air defense systems, especially for detecting and tracking low-altitude threats. EIRS (Early Warning Radar System) builds a wide, long-range air picture, spotting incoming threats early and feeding them into the command-and-control network. Together, these two act as the “eyes” of a layered air defense.

Border and area surveillance: RETİNAR

The RETİNAR family comprises ground surveillance radars used in border security and critical-facility protection. By detecting targets such as people, vehicles and small aircraft day or night and in poor weather, they let wide areas be monitored with fewer personnel. Such radars often work alongside electro-optic systems to confirm and classify a detection.

ASELSAN’s role in radar

A radar is not a weapon in itself but the decision-making sensor of air defense and platform systems. ASELSAN works here both as a prime contractor and as the sensor supplier for larger systems. In an air defense system, the radar that detects, tracks and computes the firing solution is ASELSAN’s, while the missile that is fired is generally ROKETSAN’s responsibility. This division illustrates radar’s central yet complementary role in the defense chain.

FAQ

Which is ASELSAN’s most advanced radar?

One of the most notable in technology terms is the ÇAFRAD multifunction radar suite, which uses GaN-based AESA technology and was developed for the TF-2000 destroyer. However, “most advanced” depends on purpose: MURAD stands out for the air role and RETİNAR for borders.

What is an AESA radar?

AESA (active electronically scanned array) is a radar architecture in which thousands of small transmit/receive modules on the antenna steer the beam electronically. Compared with mechanically rotating antennas, it is faster, can track more targets at once and is more resistant to jamming.

On which platforms are ASELSAN radars used?

They are used across a wide range of platforms, including ships (ÇAFRAD), aircraft (MURAD), land air defense systems (KALKAN-II, EIRS) and border security (RETİNAR).

Does ASELSAN or ROKETSAN build the radar system?

ASELSAN develops the radar systems, while ROKETSAN is responsible for the missiles and munitions. In air defense, the radar is ASELSAN’s and the missile is ROKETSAN’s.