Turkish defense company ASELSAN has introduced the latest variant of its Korkut air defense system, designed to counter the growing threat of drones with advanced 25mm smart ammunition.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency during the Defense and Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2025 exhibition in London, ASELSAN General Manager Ahmet Akyol highlighted the debut of the Korkut 100/25 system, which is capable of neutralizing FPV and tethered drones with precision-guided airburst rounds.
“FPV and tethered drones, as well as loitering munitions, have become widespread threats in recent conflicts, particularly in Ukraine,” Akyol said. “Our existing Korkut 100/35S has proven effective against larger targets, but with the feedback from our armed forces, we developed a more agile, cost-effective solution—Korkut 100/25.”
The system features an AI-supported fire control unit and ASELSAN-engineered 25mm smart ammunition. According to Akyol, the round is programmed to detonate at an exact point in the air, scattering hundreds of fragments to form a lethal cloud around the target. Integrated radar, laser rangefinders, and electro-optical systems enable precise targeting, while the platform itself is fully mobile on a wheeled vehicle.
“This new capability allows us to destroy drones in a smarter, faster, and more economical way,” Akyol noted, adding that Korkut 100/25 is unique on the global stage.
The unveiling also aligns with Turkey’s broader layered air defense initiative known as ÇELİKKUBBE (Steel Dome). In August, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan oversaw the delivery of 47 components of the system, and construction has begun on what is set to be Europe’s largest air defense facility.
“Our aim is to reinforce ÇELİKKUBBE with new capabilities,” Akyol said. “Korkut 100/25 is not only an addition to this architecture but also a system attracting strong interest internationally due to the growing drone threat worldwide.”
