Unmanned combat drone, Kizilelma, moves into mass production, with delivery scheduled for 2026.
The Turkish unmanned combat aircraft Kizilelma, also known as the "Fighter UAV," has entered serial production as of mid-2025, with the first deliveries to the Turkish Armed Forces expected in 2026. This next-generation, supersonic stealth-capable UCAV, developed entirely within Turkey by Baykar, is designed for complex combat missions including deep strikes, suppression of enemy air defenses, and naval operations from short-runway carriers.
Kizilelma represents a significant technological milestone for Turkey's defense industry. It combines high maneuverability, autonomous takeoff and landing, a low radar cross-section, and an AESA radar system, with the capability to carry up to 1.5 tons of guided weapons and ISR sensors. Powered by a modified Ukrainian AI-322F turbofan engine, it is capable of transonic speeds and advanced situational awareness in contested environments.
The Kizilelma is a testament to Turkey's rising prominence in military aviation technology and the global UAV market. Strategically, Kizilelma enhances Turkey's position as a global UAV leader, complementing its dominance in the drone market, where it holds around 65% of the global share. As Turkey’s first multipurpose unmanned fighter jet, Kizilelma signals a shift toward autonomous combat systems that reduce human risk while extending operational capabilities, particularly in hybrid, asymmetric, and naval warfare scenarios. Its ability to operate from naval platforms such as the TCG Anadolu expands Turkey’s power projection in littoral and A2/AD environments.
Bayraktar, the company behind Kizilelma, is also focusing on the future of aviation. According to Bayraktar, the future lies in swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles operating in coordination. In addition, Bayraktar confirmed that production of the Kizilelma is ongoing with continuous improvements being made to the platform.
The engines used in current platforms like Akinci are from the 1970s, and Bayraktar acknowledged that more advanced variants are needed. In response, Baykar is developing its own engine for the Akinci and Kizilelma aircraft. The engines being developed by Baykar will be more powerful and sophisticated systems.
The absence of a pilot in Kizilelma brings numerous advantages, including easier acceptance of operational risks and no need for expensive safety systems in the production process. The radar developed by Aselsan and the electro-optical systems developed by Baykar carry value far beyond the engine. The Bayraktar TB3, described as the world's first aircraft capable of short runway takeoff and landing operations, is another example of Baykar's innovative approach to UAV technology.
In summary, the Kizilelma is both a symbol and an enabler of Turkey’s rising prominence in military aviation technology and the global UAV market. It reflects a transition from reconnaissance drones to complex, high-performance unmanned combat aircraft produced at scale domestically, signaling a new era in Turkish military aviation.
Erdogan praised Baykar for advancing Turkey's technology sector with the Kizilelma, a Turkish-developed unmanned combat aircraft that combines high maneuverability, advanced stealth capabilities, and the ability to carry up to 1.5 tons of guided weapons. The first delivery of the Kizilelma to the Turkish Armed Forces is expected in 2026, further solidifying Istanbul's role as a global leader in UAV technology.
