ASELSAN's General Manager Ahmet Akyol stated in remarks to the Financial Times that the KORKUT air defense system is operational in nine countries. The system provides an effective defense solution against kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles inspired by Iran's Shahed model and produced in series. Akyol noted that the system has destroyed "possibly hundreds of UAVs," while emphasizing that KORKUT is also operational in Ukraine.

Akyol characterized systems like KORKUT as "the most practical way to eliminate UAVs in terms of effectiveness and cost." The system is deployed in nine different countries, including Gulf states and Eastern European nations. Ukraine's Air Force confirmed to the Financial Times that a Ukrainian unit has been equipped with an undisclosed number of KORKUT systems.

The KORKUT system's programmable 35-millimeter air-burst ammunition is estimated to cost approximately 1,000 dollars per round. This represents a significant economic advantage when compared to Patriot PAC-3 or IRIS-T missiles, which range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars. Akyol noted that the cost of neutralizing a Shahed or kamikaze UAV is less than 10,000 dollars.

Low-cost attack UAV strikes conducted by Iran, Russia, and various non-state actors have made the economic dimension of air defense increasingly critical. Such UAV swarms can overwhelm air defense systems and create openings for ballistic or cruise missile attacks. Akyol emphasized that Turkey's response to this challenge is "rapid delivery" and "cost-effective" air defense.

First deployed by the Turkish military in Libya in 2020, KORKUT played a significant role in shifting the balance against Khalifa Haftar's forces while supporting the UN-recognized government in Tripoli. The system proved effective against Chinese-made Wing Loong UAVs and was able to establish a protective shield over key airfields.

ASELSAN General Manager Akyol stated that NATO allies remain the company's core market. Last year's 410 million dollar electronic warfare agreement with Poland demonstrates competitive strength against European suppliers. Akyol added that in the current "rules-based world order," Gulf states have become "a very important and very large market," and Turkey's defense pact signed with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in August represents "another advantage."