New Era at Electronic Warfare with AIRSOJ

The contract regarding the Project on Aerial Platform Stand-Off Electronic Support / Electronic Attack Capability (AIRSOJ) was signed between the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB) and Aselsan in order to develop Electronic Warfare Aircraft.

In his speech at the ceremony held in the Nuri DEMIRAĞ Hall at the SSB headquarters, President of Defence Industries Prof. Ismail DEMIR noted that a major part of the 400 projects within the 100 Day Action Plan announced by President Recep Tayyip ERDOĞAN are defence industry projects. 

Prof. DEMIR: “This will reflect in the field as an impressive multiplier of strength.” 

Underlining that the AIR SOJ Project ranks among these, Prof. DEMIR stated that: “This is a highly valued project that has been on the agenda for over 20 years, on demand by our Air Force for many years, and a project that I have personally been following for a long time. When we realize the planned capabilities, our Forces will attain capabilities that only a few countries in the world have. This will reflect in the field as an impressive multiplier of strength.”

Prof. DEMIR: “The delivery schedule cannot be postponed.” 

Noting that the global situation has changed, Prof. DEMIR reiterated that the delivery schedule planned for the Centennial of the Turkish Republic cannot be postponed. Prof. DEMIR said that Turkey has to keep a fast pace in the defence industry, where every establishment involved in defence is aware that these are not normal times, and where everyone has to work with a spirit of devotion and mobilization. Pointing out the importance of support from defence industry stakeholders for the Turkish soldiers putting their lives on the line in operations, Prof. DEMIR concluded that “If this spirit of mobilization is not ingrained in us, we cannot reach the fast pace I mentioned.”

Prof. Haluk GÖRGÜN: “An important deterrence element” 

Aselsan Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO Prof. Dr. Haluk GÖRGÜN noted that the AIR SOJ System ranks high among strategically important systems for Turkey, and that the system capabilities involve a major deterrence aspect that will support Turkey’s effective foreign policies. 

Aselsan Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO Prof. Haluk GÖRGÜN went on to say: 

“The AIR SOJ Systems will serve as a very effective weapon during war-time, and a deterrence element for potential enemies in times of peace. As you well know, Electronic Warfare systems by their very nature are systems that require domestic and national resources, and these technologies are not readily shared among countries. In this respect, the capabilities and know-how that we have attained as Aselsan since 1984 and the strength of a business partner like Turkish Aerospace that is rapidly climbing through the top ranks of the defence industry, give us the confidence today of taking on the responsibility of developing a highly complex system such as AIR SOJ. It is with this awareness that we are taking on a task with such a high level of difficulty, which only a few leading companies in the world are able to carry out. We are confident that we will face any obstacle and complete this arduous process with the mutual understanding and close collaboration of our business partner Turkish Aerospace, our subcontractors, our Air Force Command and our Presidency of Defence Industries. I sincerely wish to see the first AIR SOJ Systems in our skies on the Centennial of our Republic, to experience this pride together and that it is also propitious for our country.”

Following the speeches, the Project contract was signed with the participation of the Commander in Chief of the Turkish Air Force General Hasan KÜÇÜKAKYÜZ.

The delivery of the 4 AIRSOJ systems, to be manufactured within the scope of the Project for the Air Forces Command, will start in 2023. With this system will enable the seeking / identification of the enemy’s communication systems and radars (air defence, early warning, etc.), and accurately pinpoint their locations and jamming these systems to prevent utilization of these systems against friendly units, especially during cross border operations. In this way, the fighter jets will be able to conduct their operations in a secure manner. 

This AIRSOJ system with superior technological features, compared with the Land-based Radar Electronic Warfare System known as KORAL by the press, which is a Land Based Remote Electronic Support / Electronic Attack (LANDSOJ) System, will be combining numerous electronic warfare capabilities over an aircraft. There are currently no systems in the world with these capacities.

All of the Electronic Warfare task systems to be integrated to the AIRSOJ Systems will be developed and manufactured nationally in Turkey. The modification and certification processes of the commercial aircraft to be procured as part of the contract are aimed to be executed in Turkey by making use of all national facilities. Maximum assignment of domestic industrial enterprises, Turkish Aerospace primarily, is expected for the integration of national task systems (which will be developed by Aselsan) to the aircraft and their certification activities with the technical support of the aircraft manufacturer company, which is to be selected. 

This project is qualified as one that could only be accomplished by a few companies in the world which are experts in the defence industry and areas of electronic warfare. It bears great importance in terms of displaying the point reached by Turkey’s national defence industry. On account of the high export potential of the product to be developed, this project will greatly contribute to the target of becoming a “country exporting know-how and technology”. With the inclusion of the AIRSOJ system, with its leading-edge technology, into the inventory of the Turkish Air Forces, a major step will be taken towards Turkey’s objective of being a nation with minimum foreign dependency in defence.