Türkiye’s Bayraktar Akıncı: A New Milestone in Modern Combat Drone Technology
Türkiye has added a historic achievement to its defense technology sector. According to the country’s state-run news outlet A News, on February 21 a test flight conducted over the Black Sea airspace demonstrated, for the first time, the Bayraktar Akıncı (AKINCI UCAV) combat drone’s capability to destroy an airborne target in an air-to-air engagement.
During the test, a loitering munition launched from the Akıncı directly struck another flying drone. The weapon used in the test was the high-speed “EREN” loitering munition, developed by Türkiye’s defense industry company Roketsan, an autonomous attack drone-munition system capable of detecting and striking targets independently.
Earlier, in November 2025, Türkiye’s jet-powered unmanned light combat aircraft Kızılelma had demonstrated the ability to destroy an airborne target using an air-to-air missile. With this latest test, the Akıncı platform has also achieved full air-defense and offensive air-combat capability, marking a major step forward in drone-based air warfare, according to defense analysts.
In 2024, the Akıncı successfully launched Roketsan’s IHA-230 supersonic guided missile, hitting its designated target. Open-source defense data indicate that the missile has an approximate range of 150–160 kilometers and is primarily designed for air-to-surface strike missions.
The Bayraktar Akıncı, developed by Türkiye’s drone manufacturer Baykar, is a HALE (High Altitude Long Endurance) class heavy combat drone. It is designed for surveillance, intelligence, reconnaissance, and direct strike missions, making it one of the world’s most advanced heavy UCAV platforms.
Key specifications include: Length: approx. 12.5 meters, Wingspan: 20 meters, Maximum takeoff weight: ~5,500 kg, Operational altitude: 40,000–45,000 feet, Maximum speed: ~360 km/h,Cruise speed: ~270–280 km/h,Endurance: 24–25 hours or more in a single flight
The drone is equipped with AESA radar, electronic warfare systems, advanced targeting technologies, and autonomous takeoff and landing systems, enabling fully autonomous operations. It features six hardpoints and can carry up to 1,350 kg of guided and unguided munitions.
Akıncı conducted its first flight on December 6, 2019, and was officially inducted into the Turkish Armed Forces on August 29, 2021. According to open reports, it is currently operated by Türkiye and approximately 11 other countries, while several more—including Saudi Arabia—are reportedly considering future procurement.
The latest successful test of the Bayraktar Akıncı confirms that it is no longer limited to air-to-ground strike operations. Instead, it is evolving into a multi-domain combat system, capable of conducting defensive and offensive missions in both air and maritime environments. Türkiye’s continuous progress in defense drone technology is not only expanding its military capabilities but also reshaping the global balance of modern aerial warfare.
