Turkish defence giant ASELSAN expands European presence with KORKUT deal

Turkish defence manufacturer ASELSAN has entered into a strategic cooperation agreement with Czech defence company Excalibur International, a member of the CSG Group, aimed at establishing a joint venture based in Europe and promoting the KORKUT self-propelled air defence system mounted on the Tatra Force 6×6 wheeled platform.

According to a statement released by CSG, the partnership is designed to enhance combined defence capabilities for both European customers and the wider global market.

The agreement marks a significant step toward deepening defence cooperation not only across Central and Eastern Europe but also internationally. The planned joint venture will concentrate on technical collaboration in several priority areas, including air defence systems, electronic warfare, smart munitions, and border security. As part of a broader localisation strategy, the partners intend to transfer production processes to CSG facilities located in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

One of the first concrete outcomes of the cooperation will be the integration of the KORKUT air defence system onto the Tatra Force 6×6 wheeled chassis. Designed to meet the requirements of both European operators and global customers, the system is positioned as a competitive alternative to comparable European-produced air defence solutions.

Amid evolving battlefield dynamics and the increasing importance of effective counter-unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities, the KORKUT system, when combined with the proven mobility and reliability of the Tatra platform, is expected to rapidly attract interest from potential buyers and secure a solid foothold in the international defence market.

Excalibur International Chief Executive Officer Milos Sivara, commenting on the agreement, said that KORKUT provides a modern and highly effective capability for countering hostile drones.

“The system employs high-precision programmable ammunition, which means that in practical terms, the cost of neutralising a single UAV is comparable to the cost of the UAV itself. This level of cost efficiency cannot be achieved with traditional surface-to-air missile systems,” Sivara said.

ASELSAN Chief Executive Officer Ahmet Akyol stated that cooperation with Excalibur International and the CSG Group strengthens ASELSAN’s industrial footprint in Europe and globally, enabling the company to offer combat-proven air defence solutions tailored to the needs of European and allied armed forces.

He added that integrating the KORKUT system onto the Tatra platform combines advanced sensor technologies and fire-control systems with the vehicle’s high mobility and durability, resulting in a flexible solution well suited to the rapidly changing conditions of modern warfare.

By Tamilla Hasanova