Rapid technological advances are reshaping modern warfare, with drones and kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles emerging as decisive elements on the battlefield. The era in which wars were dominated solely by multi-million-dollar fighter jets and heavy armored platforms is steadily fading. Instead, low-cost yet highly effective systems are redefining combat doctrines. Türkiye has positioned itself as one of the leading players in this transformation, and SKYDAGGER has quickly become a notable name in this field.

Despite being a relatively young company, SKYDAGGER has achieved significant milestones in a short time. TRT Haber recently visited the company’s production facility in Istanbul, where General Manager Mehmet Öztekin shared insights into both the firm’s vision and Türkiye’s growing capabilities in kamikaze UAV technologies. According to Öztekin, SKYDAGGER’s core mission is to develop systems that directly ease the burden on soldiers in the field by providing precise, reliable, and cost-effective strike options.

On the export front, SKYDAGGER has already reached an impressive level of success. As of the end of last year, the company had exported its systems to 15 countries, with plans to expand this number to 20 by the end of 2026. Öztekin emphasized that many European countries lack real battlefield experience with such systems, noting that demand is increasingly shifting toward Türkiye. Thanks to its flexible and scalable production model, SKYDAGGER has rapidly become one of the most competitive manufacturers in the sector.

One of the most striking capabilities of SKYDAGGER systems is their ability to be launched from aerial platforms. The company has successfully demonstrated drone release tests from unmanned aerial vehicles developed by Baykar. This capability significantly extends operational range and allows friendly forces to overwhelm adversaries by deploying dozens of kamikaze UAVs simultaneously. When combined with naval-capable UAVs, this approach offers a major force-multiplier effect across different domains.

Another key advantage lies in SKYDAGGER’s fiber-optic-guided FPV drones, designed to counter electronic warfare threats. Unlike mass-produced alternatives, the company offers mission-specific cable lengths tailored to operational requirements. This “tailor-made” approach minimizes unnecessary weight, allowing either greater range or increased explosive payload without compromise—an important edge in real combat scenarios.

Most notably, SKYDAGGER’s TOYCA 05 kamikaze UAV recently completed its first live-warhead test. During the trial, the system achieved a direct hit on a small target, confirming its precision and reliability. Looking ahead, the company plans to introduce a total of eight kamikaze UAV systems, including fixed-wing and rotary-wing variants. With projected ranges extending from 25 to 100 kilometers, SKYDAGGER aims to significantly strengthen Türkiye’s deterrence and operational capabilities in future conflicts.