Türkiye’s Baykar to produce combat drones with Indonesian partner

Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar has entered into a joint production agreement with Indonesian firm Republikorp for two of its advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, marking a significant expansion of Türkiye’s defense industry presence in Southeast Asia.

The agreement, signed by Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar and Republikorp founder Norman Joesoef, covers the joint production and export of the Bayraktar TB3 and Bayraktar Akinci drones. The signing took place during a broader diplomatic summit between the two nations in Bogor.

This defense collaboration comes as part of a larger package of bilateral agreements between Türkiye and Indonesia, spanning multiple sectors from energy to agriculture, signed in the presence of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.

Naval capabilities enhanced with TB3

The Bayraktar TB3 represents a significant advancement in carrier-capable unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAV). Designed specifically for naval operations, the TB3 can take off from and land on short-runway ships and aircraft carriers, making it particularly valuable for maritime nations like Indonesia with its vast archipelagic territory.

The drone features foldable wings, allowing for efficient storage on naval vessels, and maintains advanced autonomous flight capabilities. As a naval variant of the combat-proven TB2, the TB3 is engineered to operate effectively in maritime environments while carrying smart munitions and conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

Akinci as strategic game-changer

The Bayraktar Akinci, positioned as Baykar’s flagship high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) platform, stands out with its strategic-class capabilities. With a wingspan of 20 meters and featuring dual AI computers, the Akinci can operate at altitudes up to 40,000 feet.

The platform’s ability to carry sophisticated payload combinations, including air-to-ground weaponry, makes it suitable for strategic operations. As a twin-engine platform, AKINCI offers enhanced reliability and performance compared to single-engine