Türkiye’s defense sector has reached a major milestone with the Bayraktar Kizilelma UCAV entering mass production. Developed by Baykar, this next-generation uncrewed fighter jet will join the Turkish Armed Forces inventory in 2026. The program strengthens Türkiye’s leadership in unmanned combat aviation and highlights its rapid rise in aerospace innovation.
Kizilelma UCAV: A Milestone for Turkish Aerospace Industry
Baykar chairman Selçuk Bayraktar confirmed that the sixth Kizilelma prototype is already on the production line. This achievement shows how Türkiye has transformed from a country without indigenous aircraft designs into a global UAV powerhouse. Baykar now holds 60% of the global UAV market, with Türkiye leading overall with 65% market share.
The UCAV demonstrates a strong blend of stealth, speed, and heavy payload capacity. It features:
- Weapons stored internally or mounted externally,
- A 10-meter wingspan and 14.5-meter fuselage,
- Turbofan engine for high-speed operations,
- Electro-optical targeting system,
- IR Search and Track (IRST),
- Multi-Mode AESA Radar.
Performance and Capabilities of Kizilelma UCAV
With a cruise speed of 0.6 Mach, 500 nm combat radius, and three-hour endurance, Kizilelma is designed to conduct a variety of strike and reconnaissance missions. The platform carries a 1,500 kg payloadand operates at an altitude of 25,000 feet, combining stealth with heavy firepower for maximum operational flexibility.
Kizilelma is designed for high-demand missions where unmanned platforms can complement or replace manned fighter jets. It achieves:
- 0.6 Mach cruise speed
- 500 nautical miles combat radius
- Three-hour flight endurance
- 1,500 kg payload capacity
- Operational altitude of 25,000 feet
This performance enables precision strikes, deep-penetration missions, and support for manned-unmanned teaming concepts. Baykar designed the UCAV to launch from short runways, enhancing deployment flexibility compared to traditional fighter aircraft.
“Kizilelma has started mass production … Everything is made in Türkiye. The whole world is asking, ‘How did you do it?’ It was built on great faith, determination, effort, and principle.” – Selçuk Bayraktar, Baykar Chairman
Global Impact and Strategic Outlook
The program makes Türkiye the first nation to mass-produce an unmanned fighter jet, surpassing the United States and Israel in this emerging field. Defense analysts expect the Kizilelma to reshape aerial warfare doctrines by offering cost-effective, autonomous strike capabilities with rapid deployment potential.
Baykar’s UCAV development complements other indigenous projects such as the Bayraktar TB3, which set records for short runway take-offs. Together, these platforms strengthen Türkiye’s aerospace sector and enhance its influence in global defense markets.
Learn more about global unmanned aerial vehicle developments.
Related article: Türkiye Advances Next-Gen Airpower with Indigenous UCAVs
Conclusion
The Kizilelma UCAV’s mass production represents a defining moment for Türkiye’s defense and aerospace industries. It shows how determined domestic innovation can achieve global breakthroughs in a field traditionally dominated by a few nations. With Kizilelma set for operational deployment, the future of air combat will likely feature a new balance between manned and unmanned strike platforms.
