Turkey's Hisar missile family: a multi-layered shield for modern warfare

Countries & Cities · Published 13 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: From the mountains of Syria to the skies over Khartoum, Turkey's Hisar missile family has become a versatile cornerstone of modern air defense. Developed to counter everything from drones to fighter jets, these systems represent a leap in domestic defense engineering, blending high-tech sensors with rugged, mobile platforms.

Developed since 2007 by Roketsan and Aselsan, the Hisar family provides short and medium-range surface-to-air defense. The project began with a 2007 request for information regarding Turkey's Low Altitude Air Defence Missile System (T-LALADMIS) program, attracting 18 companies. By 2015, Aselsan was awarded the prime contract to produce the systems, with a total value exceeding 550 million euros for the initial low and medium-altitude variants.

The family is divided into two primary types: Hisar-A and Hisar-O. Hisar-A is a short-range system mounted on an FNSS ACV-30 tracked vehicle, featuring a dual-pulse solid propellant rocket motor to handle highly maneuverable targets. While its maximum engagement altitude is limited to 8 km in the improved Hisar-A+ version, it remains a staple for localized defense. In contrast, Hisar-O is a medium-range system mounted on a Mercedes-Benz Zetros chassis, featuring a longer 4.2m missile and the Kalkan phased array 3D search radar, capable of reaching ranges of over 40 km when using RF seekers.

Technologically, the missiles utilize infrared imaging (IIR) seekers for terminal guidance, making them resistant to various countermeasures. They employ inertial navigation systems (INS) and RF data links for midcourse guidance. The system's versatility is proven by its diverse export and operational history: it has been deployed in Syria, expressed as an interest by Ukraine and Bangladesh, and customized for Indonesia as the Trisula-O. Recent mass production contracts signed in late 2023 aim to deliver these systems to the Turkish Armed Forces between 2025 and 2029.

The family continues to evolve with specialized variants like Hisar-D RF, a naval version tested in 2024, and the Hisar-RF, which exceeds the range of the Hisar-O+. These advancements ensure the family can address a wide spectrum of threats, from low-flying drones to high-altitude aircraft, while maintaining a modular structure for multi-target fusion and autonomous command capabilities.

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