HİSAR O+ Air Defense System Deliveries Explained: How Many, and Which Operators?

HİSAR O+ is a vertically launched air-defense missile system designed against low- and medium-altitude threats. It can detect and neutralize aircraft, attack helicopters, cruise missiles and UAVs. Vertical launch provides 360-degree coverage, and a multi-target, multi-radar architecture lets it engage several threats at once.

The system’s radar, command-and-control and launch elements are largely indigenous. Its mobility lets it protect troops and critical facilities in the field, offering far more flexibility than fixed installations.

HİSAR is not a single system but a family layered by range. Türkiye’s layered air defense, Çelik Kubbe (Steel Dome), relies on these systems working together from short to long range.

HİSAR O+’s first and main operator is the Land Forces Command. It is also being delivered to the Air Force, while HİSAR-based shipborne air-defense solutions (Denizsavar/HİSAR-D) have been developed for naval platforms.

Deliveries of HİSAR O+ to the Turkish Armed Forces began on 19 February 2022. The system has been in active service since, with capabilities continually improved through test fires and range extensions. In August 2024, a test fire saw the HİSAR O+ missile exceed 40 km in range.

Serial production has accelerated: on 27 August 2025, three HİSAR-O systems comprising 21 vehicles were delivered to the Turkish military. Officials say 2-3 new HİSAR-O batteries are added to the inventory each year.

HİSAR O+ deliveries proceed by system (battery). A battery carries 18 missiles across three launcher vehicles, while a battalion fields 54 missiles across nine launchers. On 27 August 2025, three systems (21 vehicles) were delivered, and 2-3 new batteries are added annually. Additional deliveries to the Land Forces are planned for 2025-2028 and Air Force deliveries are to be completed in 2026-2027.

HİSAR O+ should be viewed as part of the layered air-defense architecture called Çelik Kubbe (Steel Dome), not in isolation. In this architecture, short-range HİSAR-A+, medium-range HİSAR-O+ and long-range SİPER work together to form an integrated shield against threats at different altitudes and ranges.

The strength of the layered approach comes from the systems sharing data over a common command-and-control backbone, so a low-altitude UAV and a high-altitude aircraft or cruise missile can each be met by the most suitable layer. HİSAR O+ is the most heavily used middle layer.

HİSAR O+ is a joint product of two leading Turkish defense companies. System integration, radar and command-and-control come from ASELSAN; the missile from Roketsan.

• Radar and C2: ASELSAN
• Missile: Roketsan (dual-pulse motor, IIR/RF guidance)
• Launcher chassis: Mercedes-Benz Zetros 6×6
• Program: under the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB)

HİSAR O+ is the key system meeting Türkiye’s medium-range air-defense needs indigenously, reducing dependence on imports and enabling range, guidance and software upgrades to be done in-country.

As the middle layer of Steel Dome, HİSAR O+ provides integrated protection alongside short-range HİSAR-A+ and long-range SİPER — a layered indigenous capability critical for both operational flexibility and strategic independence.

Deliveries to the Land Forces began on 19 February 2022; on 27 August 2025, three systems (21 vehicles) were delivered.

Primarily the Land Forces, with deliveries to the Air Force; HİSAR-based solutions have been developed for naval platforms.

HİSAR-O has a ~25 km range and ~15 km altitude; in a test fire HİSAR O+ exceeded 40 km.

Radar and C2 come from ASELSAN and the missile from Roketsan; the program runs under the SSB.

A battery carries 18 missiles across three launchers; a battalion fields 54 across nine launchers.

HİSAR O+ forms the middle layer alongside short-range HİSAR-A+ and long-range SİPER.