Turkey’s SİPER emerges as a layered, long-range air-defence solution with growing export interest
Summary
The SİPER is Turkey’s national long-range air-defence system jointly developed by Aselsan, Roketsan, and TÜBİTAK SAGE. It is designed to detect, track and engage aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles and, in later blocks, short- and medium-range ballistic missiles and hypersonic threats.
Deliveries began in 2024, and the system forms a key pillar in Turkey’s indigenous layered air-defence architecture while attracting growing attention from international operators, including Bangladesh.
System Overview
SİPER is a modular, battery-based surface-to-air system structured around a fleet-level command node, long-range search radar, battery fire-control radars, and a family of solid-fuel interceptor missiles (Blocks 1–6). Each battery can operate semi-autonomously while contributing to a national or coalition air picture through advanced networking.
Key design goals:
- Long-range detection and engagement capability
- Simultaneous, multi-target engagement
- Distributed and survivable architecture
- NATO-compatible command and control (Link-16, JREAP)
- National MOD5/S IFF integration
Sensors, Command & Control
Fleet-level components
- Fleet Control Centre – Central command node for area-level C2, track fusion and engagement authorisation
- Search Radar: ALP-310G — long-range, 3D active electronically-scanned array (AESA) radarBattery-level components
- Fire Control Centre – localised engagement planning and launcher management
- Fire Control Radar: AKREP-1000G – target acquisition, precision tracking and missile guidance support
- Communications elements: Dedicated communication station and relay vehicles ensure resilient data and voice connectivity
- IFF: National MOD5/S (NATO compatible)
C2 features
- Integrated air picture generation and multi-radar fusion
- Distributed network architecture supporting close or remote battery deployments
- Automatic diagnostic management and embedded simulation
- Full integration into HvBS and Radnet systems
- Tactical connectivity via Link-16 and JREAP for coordination with Turkish Air, Land, and Naval forces
Missile Family — SİPER Product Series
All missiles employ solid-fuel propulsion, GPS/INS guidance, two-way datalink mid-course correction, and an active RF seeker for terminal homing.
Early blocks (B1–B3) are designed for aerodynamic threats, while later variants (B4–B6) expand the capability to include ballistic and hypersonic targets.
| Variant | Role | Range | Altitude | Entry | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B1 (Product 1) | Long-range aerial targets | 100+ km | 20+ km | 2024 | Baseline operational version |
| B2 (Product 2) | Extended range | 150 km | 30 km | 2025 (expected) | Improved propulsion and seeker |
| B3 (Product 3) | Enhanced performance | 180 km | 30 km | 2026 (expected) | Advanced seeker and kinematics |
| B4 (Product 4) | SRBM interception | Classified | — | 2028 (expected) | Entry into ballistic defence |
| B5 (Product 5) | MRBM interception | Classified | — | 2029 (expected) | Extended ballistic intercept |
| B6 (Product 6) | Hypersonic defence | Classified | — | 2030 (expected) | Counter-hypersonic missile |
Warhead: High-explosive fragmentation (B1–B3)
Speed: ~Mach 3–4 (B1–B3)
Battery Composition & Launcher
- Ready-to-fire missiles: 18
- Guidable missiles (battery level): 20
- Simultaneous target engagements: 10
- Launcher: FFS (Fixed Firing System) — 6 missiles per unit; supports vertical or oblique launch
- Support vehicles: Missile transport & loading units, communication station and relay vehicles
Each battery is capable of autonomous deployment or networked integration with higher-level command posts. The architecture supports rapid set-up and remote operation.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Maximum search range | 800+ km |
| Effective search range | 450+ km |
| Maximum tracking range | 290+ km |
| Lateral coverage | 360° |
| Track capacity | 100 targets |
| Guidance | GPS/INS + two-way data link + active RF seeker |
| Propulsion | Solid-fuel rocket motor |
| Warhead | HE-fragmentation (B1–B3) |
| Missile speed | Mach 3–4 |
| IFF | National MOD5/S (NATO compatible) |
Operational Capabilities
- Target set: Fighters, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles, air-to-ground munitions
- Modes: Manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic engagement
- Firing: Sequential and multiple simultaneous engagements
- Conditions: Day/night and adverse weather operation
- Deployment: Close or remote configuration, wired or wireless control
- Integration: Full connectivity with national and NATO C4ISR systems
Interoperability & Training
SİPER features embedded simulation for operator training and mission rehearsal.
Its Link-16 and JREAP interfaces ensure seamless interoperability with allied tactical data links.
Maintenance, logistics, and missile resupply are managed through modular ground support equipment for sustained operations.
Development & Delivery
- Developers: Aselsan (C2 & sensors), Roketsan (missiles & launchers), TÜBİTAK SAGE (R&D & seeker technologies)
- Production start: 2023
- Deliveries commenced: 2024 (Block-1 missiles operational)
- Planned capability milestones: Block-6 hypersonic interception by 2030
Bangladesh — Interest & Strategic Context
The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) has formally expressed interest in acquiring the SİPER Long-Range Air Defence System, underscoring Dhaka’s intent to establish a layered, indigenous-integrated air-defence network.
The interest was disclosed during the official visit of Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan to Türkiye from 1–5 October 2025, as previously reported by bdmilitary.com. During the visit, the Chief of Air Staff met senior officials from Aselsan, Roketsan, and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), as well as the Commander of the Turkish Air Force and the President of the Defence Industries Agency (SSB).
Discussions centred on joint defence production, advanced missile systems, and technology transfer opportunities.
SİPER’s multi-block roadmap and modular structure were among the systems presented to the BAF delegation. Given Bangladesh’s pursuit of extended-range air-defence coverage and interest in joint development projects, the SİPER system presents a strong candidate for Bangladesh’s future strategic air-defence requirements.
Assessment for Bangladesh
- Strategic rationale: SİPER’s evolving capability could provide Bangladesh with a sovereign, network-ready long-range layer to complement existing medium-range defences.
- Integration potential: The system’s Link-16 compatibility and distributed C2 architecture align with Bangladesh’s plans for networked surveillance and air command modernisation.
- Procurement outlook: Any acquisition would likely focus initially on SİPER Block-2 or Block-3, offering proven aerodynamic intercept capability with future scalability to B4/B5 standards through co-production or licensed assembly in Bangladesh.
Regional Significance
SİPER establishes Turkey as one of the few nations with a fully indigenous, scalable long-range air-defence ecosystem.
For potential export partners, such as Bangladesh, the system provides a high-performance, modular alternative to Western and Chinese offerings, supported by a credible industrial base and NATO-compatible infrastructure.
Annex — Missile Block Timeline
| Block | Range | Role | Planned Service Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | 100+ km | Long-range SAM | 2024 |
| B2 | 150 km | Extended range SAM | 2025 |
| B3 | 180 km | Enhanced performance SAM | 2026 |
| B4 | — | SRBM interception | 2028 |
| B5 | — | MRBM interception | 2029 |
| B6 | — | Hypersonic interception | 2030 |
Assessment
SİPER is a cornerstone in Türkiye’s long-range defence strategy — a modular, export-ready system with clear growth potential. Its potential adoption by Bangladesh would mark a significant leap in the BAF’s air-defence capabilities, symbolising Dhaka’s growing partnership with Türkiye in the post-2025 defence landscape.
