Qatar to Acquire Turkish Steel Dome Air Defense System

Qatar is reportedly reviewing a proposal from Turkey for the Steel Dome multilayer air- and missile-defense system after its existing Patriot and NASAMS batteries were unable to intercept low-altitude threats during an Israeli attack.

According to a report by ULUSAVUNMA, officials have examined the system developed jointly by Aselsan, Roketsan, MKE and TÜBİTAK Defense Industries Research and Development Institute (TÜBİTAK SAGE). The evaluation includes whether the Steel Dome can fill what authorities describe as a gap in low-altitude protection around critical sites.

The first layer of the system covers threats within a 10-kilometer range and an altitude of up to 5 kilometers. This layer uses several Aselsan-built systems, including Korkut, Gökberk, Şahin, Göker, İhtar and Sungur. For targets between 5 and 10 kilometers, Turkish systems such as Herikks, C-Ram, Hisar A+, Gökdemir and Gürz are included in the package.

The proposal also features the Hisar O medium-range system, produced by Aselsan and Roketsan, which has an approximate range of 25 kilometers and uses radar-guided interceptors to engage multiple targets.

For long-range coverage between 15 and 30 kilometers—and beyond 60 kilometers in range—the Trench system is planned as the upper tier. The system currently offers a 100-kilometer reach, with expansion under development.