Türkiye continues to strengthen its capabilities in unmanned systems with the integration of BAHA, a sub-cloud unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by HAVELSAN, into the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) inventory. Designed under the “digital unit” concept, BAHA follows the earlier deployment of the BARKAN unmanned ground vehicle, marking a significant step toward integrated land-air defense operations.

BAHA is engineered to meet the needs of modern combat environments with features such as vertical takeoff and landing, fully autonomous mission execution, and the ability to carry various payloads. Powered by a gasoline engine, the UAV can stay airborne for up to six hours, reach altitudes of 15,000 feet, and operate effectively within an 80-kilometer range. With a payload capacity of 5 kilograms, it is suitable for reconnaissance, surveillance, electronic warfare, and security operations.

Its versatility extends beyond military use. BAHA can be deployed in missions involving border and coastal security, energy infrastructure monitoring, intelligence gathering, counter-smuggling, and counter-terrorism operations. It has also proven valuable in disaster response. During the earthquakes centered in Kahramanmaraş, BAHA supported search-and-rescue efforts by providing critical imagery in conditions where conventional UAVs were unable to operate due to difficult weather.

With its addition to the TSK’s arsenal, BAHA enhances Türkiye’s UAV capabilities both domestically and internationally. This achievement underscores HAVELSAN’s engineering expertise and reflects the innovative capacity of Türkiye’s defense industry.