The Pakistani military is reportedly evaluating Turkey's domestically produced SİPER long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system as it seeks to reinforce its multi-layered air defence shield.
Turkish defence officials are anticipated to showcase the system’s operational capabilities to Pakistani authorities in the coming months.
According to informed sources, both the Pakistan Army and Air Force are closely examining the SİPER system.
This interest aligns with the deepening defence ties between Islamabad and Ankara, coming at a time when Pakistan is actively reassessing its current air defence setup and looking for more reliable ways to protect its airspace from modern aerial threats.
The SİPER programme is Turkey’s most sophisticated homegrown long-range air defence project, jointly manufactured by prominent Turkish defence firms Roketsan, Aselsan, and TÜBİTAK SAGE.
Serving as the top tier of Turkey's ambitious "Steel Dome" architecture, the system is built to provide robust protection at high and medium altitudes.
It is capable of tracking and intercepting a wide variety of threats, including fighter jets, cruise and air-to-surface missiles, helicopters, and drones.
Currently, the programme features the SİPER-1 and SİPER-2 missile variants, which boast operational engagement ranges exceeding 100 kilometres and 150 kilometres, respectively.
Turkey is actively expanding the programme to include ballistic missile defence capabilities, with future versions expected to feature even longer ranges and highly advanced radar systems to tackle more complicated threats.
Sources indicate that Pakistan’s push to upgrade its integrated air defence network is primarily a response to the increasing presence of long-range, precision-guided weaponry in the South Asian region.
This potential acquisition also highlights the fast-growing strategic partnership between Turkey and Pakistan. The two nations are already collaborating on various naval projects, drone technologies, and broader aerospace manufacturing.
Increasingly, Turkish defence companies are establishing themselves as reliable suppliers for nations wanting to diversify their arsenals away from traditional Western or Chinese military hardware.
A significant factor driving Pakistan’s interest in the Turkish system is the reported underperformance of its existing Chinese-origin air defence equipment—such as the HQ-9P and LY-80 systems—during recent military engagements.
Sources suggest that the practical lessons learned from these conflicts have pushed Pakistani military strategists to seek alternative, proven technologies to secure their airspace.
Despite the ongoing evaluations, neither the Pakistani nor the Turkish government has officially confirmed any final procurement agreement. At present, the discussions remain in the testing and assessment phase rather than a confirmed purchase.
If Pakistan decides to buy the SİPER system, it will mark a significant achievement for Turkey as a rising global exporter of high-tech air defence equipment.
For Pakistan, adding this advanced long-range system would diversify its military inventory and improve its ability to counter modern threats in the sky.
