Turkey’s Baykar to build new ‘highly autonomous’ combat drone

Baykar has become internationally known in recent years for the company’s TB-2 light drone used in Ukraine.

Turkish defense firm Baykar plans to begin production of its new unmanned combat aircraft next year, which is already attracting international interest, said chairman Selcuk Bayraktar.

Dubbed “Kizilelma”, the drone expands the company’s product range from slow ground attack drones to fast and agile autonomous drones that work alongside fighter jets.

“It’s designed to be a highly autonomous air-to-air combat vehicle, under human supervision, of course,” said Bayraktar, who led the design of the 15-meter (49-foot) jet-powered weapon.

“In a way, the Kizilelma expresses a whole new future for combat aviation.”

Baykar has become internationally known in recent years for the company’s light drone TB-2, which has been used in Ukraine, Azerbaijan and North Africa and has been a huge export success, making the company one of the largest Turkish defense companies. exporters.

Baykar plans to start production in small quantities next year. Kizilelma made its first flight in December and began formation flight testing with Baykar’s other drones this month.

The craft is ready to begin test flights alongside piloted jets. Deployment on Turkey’s amphibious ship is scheduled for next year.

There is already demand from abroad for the new drone, although its specialized capabilities allow it to be shipped to fewer export markets.

Bayraktar, who is married to the daughter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, spoke on the sidelines of an aerospace and technology festival organized by his foundation.

High-profile military projects have featured prominently in Erdogan’s election campaign, and Bayraktar said he sees the drone as the culmination of a national ambition and a product “with which we tell the world that our country is not just a player, but a playmaker.” “.