What Is the Difference Between ASELSAN and ROKETSAN?

ASELSAN SERDAR weapon station. Source: Zinnsoldat / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What is the difference between ASELSAN and ROKETSAN? In short: ASELSAN is a defence electronics company, and ROKETSAN is a missile and munitions company. Both are among Turkey’s largest defence firms and both have TSKGV as their main shareholder, yet what they build is entirely different. Below we compare the two clearly.

What they make: the core difference

ASELSAN makes electronic systems such as radar, electronic warfare, electro-optics, communications and command and control. ROKETSAN develops energetic/explosive systems such as guided missiles, rockets, munitions and rocket motors. It is fair to say ASELSAN builds the ‘brain and senses’ while ROKETSAN builds the ‘fist’.

ASELSAN anti-drone system. Source: VoidWanderer / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where they come together

Although the difference is clear, the two work together on many projects. In an air-defence system, for example, ASELSAN provides the radar and command and control while ROKETSAN provides the missile. That is why they are ‘complementary’, not ‘rivals’. Both having TSKGV as their main shareholder provides a common structure that eases this cooperation.

Comparison	ASELSAN	ROKETSAN
Main product	Defence electronics	Missiles, rockets, munitions
Examples	MURAD, KORAL, ASELFLIR	Missile families, rocket systems
Analogy	Brain/senses	Fist
Common ground	Main shareholder TSKGV; frequent cooperation	Main shareholder TSKGV; frequent cooperation

Source: public defence-industry information.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between ASELSAN and ROKETSAN?

ASELSAN makes defence electronics (radar, electronic warfare, electro-optics); ROKETSAN makes missiles, rockets and munitions.

Which one makes missiles?

ROKETSAN makes the missiles and rockets. ASELSAN provides the radar, seeker and command-and-control electronics of those systems.

Are ASELSAN and ROKETSAN rivals?

No, they are complementary. They work together on many projects (especially in air defence) and share TSKGV as their main shareholder.

Which of the two is bigger?

Both are large; size depends on the measure. ASELSAN is generally larger by revenue and headcount.

Sources

ASELSAN, TUSAŞ, SSB, ROKETSAN, HAVELSAN corporate information; public defence-industry sources (2026).
Images: Wikimedia Commons (attributions under each image).