ASELSAN-developed GÖKDENİZ Close-In Air Defense System has achieved another critical milestone by successfully completing a live-fire test conducted from the TCG ISTANBUL frigate. The test demonstrated the system’s effectiveness under realistic operational conditions and confirmed its role as a key component of the Turkish Navy’s layered air defense architecture.

Turkish Defense Industry President Haluk Görgün announced the achievement via his social media account, stating that a new era has begun in naval air defense. He emphasized that GÖKDENİZ provides high effectiveness against anti-ship missiles, particularly low-altitude, sea-skimming threats that pose one of the most challenging risks to modern warships. Utilizing 35 mm particulate ASELSAN ATOM ammunition, the system offers proven protection by neutralizing incoming threats with high precision.

Designed as a fully autonomous close-in weapon system, GÖKDENİZ integrates advanced radar and electro-optical sensors, high firing rates, and rapid reaction capability to form the last line of defense for naval platforms. Its successful performance during the TCG ISTANBUL firing test further validates its reliability and combat readiness. Currently, the system is actively deployed on various Turkish Navy platforms and is also in service with the armed forces of three different countries.

According to Görgün, this achievement significantly enhances Türkiye’s deterrence and maritime security within the “Blue Homeland” doctrine. He congratulated ASELSAN and all defense industry stakeholders involved in the project, highlighting their contribution to strengthening national naval power. The successful test of GÖKDENİZ once again underscores Türkiye’s growing technological competence and rising profile in the global defense market.