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Baykar Technologies is advancing in the development of Turkey's first unmanned fighter jet, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA. This aircraft marks a significant step for Turkey's armed forces, which already operate one of the largest fleets of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV) globally.
The project is led by Baykar, a prominent Turkish technology company specializing in defense. The design aims to combine aerodynamic efficiency with stealth features while allowing for flexible weaponry and airframe durability. "The emerging unmanned military platforms, smart systems and munitions manufactured by Turkey have become popular in the international defence market," reports SETA.
The KIZILELMA was designed to operate both from land and ships. It resembles other fifth-generation stealth fighters like China's Chengdu J-20 due to its low-observable airframe. The aircraft's maiden flight occurred in December 2022, with further testing at Akinci Flight Training and Test Center in January 2025 indicating progress towards production readiness.
