The TOLGA close-in air defense system developed by Machinery and Chemical Industry Corporation (MKE) has emerged as one of the most notable projects of the Turkish defense industry in response to the growing threat of kamikaze drones and other asymmetric aerial threats. According to statements made by MKE General Manager İlhami Keleş, TOLGA was designed not only to meet the requirements of conventional air defense concepts, but also to address the rapidly changing needs of the modern battlefield. Especially after drones became a defining factor in the Russia-Ukraine war, the need for low-cost yet highly effective air defense systems became more apparent. In this context, TOLGA stands out as a domestic, layered defense system intended to cover the very low-altitude layer of Türkiye’s Steel Dome air defense architecture.

One of the most important strengths of the system is its ability to combine sensors, an AESA radar, electronic jamming systems, and weapons of different calibers within a single integrated structure. On the “soft-kill” side, TOLGA incorporates jammer systems, while its “hard-kill” capability includes 12.7 mm revolver and QCB weapons, 20 mm guns, and upper-segment 35 mm solutions. This provides flexible engagement options depending on the target’s distance. MKE’s extensive experience in ammunition production is highlighted as one of the main factors distinguishing TOLGA from its counterparts. The company emphasizes that it has developed ammunition in calibers ranging from 12.7 mm to 35 mm that disperses in front of the target, creating a dense cloud of steel fragments. In this way, the target is neutralized not through a single direct hit, but within a wider zone of destruction.

According to Keleş, TOLGA can detect targets at a range of approximately 10 kilometers. The system is particularly effective in close engagement zones, from 4 kilometers down to 300 meters and even 100 meters. The high-rate-of-fire weapon systems create what can be described as a “metal cloud” along the drone’s approach path. The fact that the 35 mm weapon system can reach a firing rate of 1,100 rounds per minute demonstrates TOLGA’s high reaction capability in dense threat environments. In addition, radar data and electro-optical tracking solutions are combined to ensure more precise target tracking. The artificial intelligence-supported tracking infrastructure can also predict the likely maneuvers of a drone, enabling the system to achieve more effective results with less ammunition.

TOLGA’s development is not limited to its current configuration. MKE is planning to integrate laser and microwave air defense elements into the system as well. With the addition of these two new components, TOLGA is expected to gain a much broader and more flexible defense structure, supported not only by kinetic ammunition but also by directed-energy solutions. Thanks to its compact structure and the company’s “effective, simple, affordable” production philosophy, TOLGA is expected to play an important role in protecting critical facilities against drone attacks.

International interest in the system is also rising rapidly. It has been stated that contracts have already been signed with Egypt, while discussions are ongoing with countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Baltic states. MKE expects TOLGA to become a major export revenue driver once mass production begins. It is also reported that the process of integrating TOLGA into the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces is close to completion, while efforts to obtain a NATO stock code are still ongoing. In addition, procurement requests from the Land Forces, Naval Forces, and Air Forces have already been approved by the Defense Industry Executive Committee. These developments show that TOLGA is not only a solution for domestic defense needs, but also a strategic defense product capable of competing on the global market.