Türkiye’s domestically developed aerial defense platforms continue to demonstrate significant progress during ongoing test campaigns. Developed by Baykar, the Bayraktar AKINCI Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) and Türkiye’s first unmanned fighter aircraft Bayraktar KIZILELMA are steadily enhancing their operational capabilities through comprehensive testing and system integration programs. These advanced platforms are expected to play a critical role in strengthening Türkiye’s air power and strategic deterrence in the “Blue Homeland” and beyond.

Bayraktar AKINCI has recently reached an important milestone by surpassing 150,000 total flight hours during its development and operational testing phases. The indigenous UCAV continues to expand its operational capabilities through the successful integration of a wide range of precision-guided munitions. Among the weapons tested on the platform are MAM-L, MAM-C, MAM-T, TOLUN, TEBER-81 and TEBER-82 guided bombs, as well as LGK and HGK guidance kits. Additionally, advanced missile systems including the ÇAKIR cruise missile, the İHA-230 supersonic missile, and the İHA-122 supersonic missile have also been successfully integrated and tested.

The platform has also demonstrated air-to-air engagement capability. AKINCI previously conducted successful air-to-air firing tests using the KEMANKEŞ 1 AI-based mini cruise missile. In addition, the platform achieved another milestone by successfully deploying the EREN high-speed loitering munition developed by ROKETSAN, highlighting the system’s versatility in modern combat environments.

Another major advancement for AKINCI is the successful performance test flight of the domestically developed MURAD AESA nose radar produced by ASELSAN. This advanced radar system provides multiple simultaneous target tracking, electronic support and attack capabilities, as well as AI-based target identification features. The integration of this radar significantly increases the situational awareness and combat effectiveness of the AKINCI platform.

Meanwhile, testing of Bayraktar KIZILELMA — Türkiye’s first unmanned fighter aircraft — is progressing successfully. The aircraft has completed several key stages of its development program, including training flights and functional tests of its electronic warfare self-protection systems. In recent tests, the ASELSAN FEWS-U Electronic Warfare Suite was successfully integrated into the platform and completed its first flight test.

The FEWS-U system provides 360-degree threat detection coverage, rapid identification of radar threats, and the ability to apply countermeasures against hostile radar systems targeting the aircraft. Designed specifically for unmanned platforms, the system enhances KIZILELMA’s survivability and operational effectiveness in contested environments.

KIZILELMA has also successfully conducted weapons firing tests during its development program. The aircraft achieved direct hits with TOLUN and TEBER-82 precision-guided munitions. In a historic test conducted off the coast of Sinop, the unmanned fighter aircraft successfully destroyed a jet-powered aerial target using a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. With this achievement, KIZILELMA became the first unmanned fighter aircraft in aviation history to shoot down a jet-powered target using a beyond-visual-range missile.

All development and testing activities for Bayraktar KIZILELMA are continuing as planned. The aircraft is expected to enter the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces within 2026, marking another major milestone for Türkiye’s rapidly advancing defense industry and its growing leadership in unmanned combat aviation technologies.