What Is ASELSAN, What Does It Do and What Does It Make? A Complete Guide
Short answer: ASELSAN, formally Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., is Turkey’s largest defense electronics company, founded in 1975. Its core business is designing, developing and manufacturing electronic systems for military and civilian use. Radar systems, electronic warfare equipment, air defense systems, electro-optical systems, military radios and communications infrastructure are among its principal fields. It is headquartered in Ankara, its shares trade on Borsa İstanbul under the ticker ASELS, and it ranked 43rd on the 2025 Defense News Top 100 list, making it the highest-placed Turkish defense company on the list.
What does ASELSAN do?
ASELSAN develops high-technology electronic systems with domestic resources for the needs of the Turkish Armed Forces above all, as well as other public institutions and export customers. Its activities are organized under five sector groups.
ASELSAN’s 5 sector groups (business areas)
| Sector group | Abbreviation | Main products |
|---|---|---|
| Communications and Information Technologies | HBT | Military radios, secure communications, command and control |
| Microelectronics, Guidance and Electro-Optics | MGEO | Electro-optical systems, guidance kits, thermal cameras |
| Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems | REHİS | Radars, electronic warfare (EW), signals intelligence |
| Defense Systems Technologies | SST | Air defense, weapon systems, fire control |
| Transportation, Security, Energy, Automation and Healthcare | UGES | Traffic/tolling systems, medical devices, energy (non-defense) |
What does ASELSAN make?
Its product range is broad: air defense radars and systems, targeting pods such as ASELPOD, thermal and night-vision systems, digital military radios, electronic warfare attack/protection systems, fire-control systems for naval and land platforms, payloads for unmanned systems, and civilian traffic/automation solutions in the non-defense field.
Its role in Turkey’s defense industry
ASELSAN sits at the center of Turkey’s goal of reducing its dependence on foreign defense supply. It is one of the country’s biggest R&D spenders and, as of end-2024, reached a backlog of 14 billion dollars in orders. The company’s stated target is to break into the Defense News Top 30 by 2030.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name ASELSAN mean?
It is the abbreviation of the Turkish for “Military Electronics Industry”; its full corporate name is Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.
Does ASELSAN make weapons?
It mainly produces the electronics of weapon systems (radar, fire control, air defense, electronic warfare); the prime contractor for munitions/missiles in the classic sense is ROKETSAN.
Does ASELSAN only manufacture for the military?
No. Under its UGES sector it also manufactures in civilian fields such as traffic, tolling, energy and healthcare.
Where does ASELSAN rank in the world?
It is 43rd on the 2025 Defense News Top 100 list and the highest-valued Turkish defense company on the list.
What are ASELSAN’s best-known products?
Military radios, air defense radars and systems, the ASELPOD targeting pod, and electro-optical/thermal systems stand out.
