An automated air-defence system that can destroy attack drones for just $10,000 is driving a Turkish defence exports boom to the Gulf and countries such as Ukraine. Aselsan's Korkut gun system, which defends against mass-produced 'kamikaze' drones modelled on Iran's Shahed, is operational in nine countries and has eliminated 'maybe hundreds of drones', according to CEO Ahmet Akyol. The system uses programmable 35mm airburst rounds costing about $1,000 each, making it far more cost-effective than Patriot or IRIS-T interceptors that cost hundreds of thousands to millions per shot.
Ukraine confirmed one unit was equipped with Korkut systems, a rare confirmation of Turkey's defence presence there during the Russia-Ukraine war. Akyol stated that missile-only defence is not economically feasible against cheap drone swarms, while the Korkut offers 'fast delivery' and 'cost-effective' protection against mass drone attacks.
Source: Financial Times Companies · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing