Türkiye’s UAVs assist in coordination efforts following Istanbul earthquake
Two Bayraktar Akinci Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), developed indigenously and domestically by Turkish defense giant Baykar seen in the sky, accessed on March 18, 2025.(Baykar / Handout / AA Photo)
Türkiye’s indigenous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Bayraktar Akinci and Bayraktar TB2, took to the skies on Wednesday following a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Istanbul to assist in coordination efforts.
The earthquake, which struck offshore in the Sea of Marmara near Silivri, was felt strongly in Istanbul and surrounding provinces. According to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the earthquake’s epicenter was located in Istanbul’s Silivri district.
The quake occurred at 12:49 p.m. local time (0949 GMT), with a depth of approximately 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) and lasted for 13 seconds, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed. The tremor injured at least 236 people, mostly due to panic-driven incidents such as jumping from buildings.
None of the injuries were life-threatening, and the injured are receiving treatment in hospitals.
In response, UAVs produced by Baykar played a key role in the coordination efforts. A Bayraktar Akinci and two Bayraktar TB2s, typically used for flight tests and training, took off from centers in Corlu and Kesan. The UAVs performed coordination duties over Istanbul’s skies following the earthquake.
The Bayraktar Akinci flew under the KAYI01 flight code, while the Bayraktar TB2s were identified by the BAYKAR01 and T464 flight codes. The flights were trackable through aviation applications.
Essential roles in civilian ops and disaster management
Turkish UAVs are not only used for military purposes but also play an essential role in civilian operations, such as disaster management for earthquakes and floods, search and rescue missions, monitoring irregular migration, and combating forest fires.
The Bayraktar TB2 was previously involved in earthquake response operations, including the 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Elazig in January 2020, and during the February 2023 Kahramanmaras-centered earthquakes. In the latter, UAVs flew for over 2,400 hours, assisting in various tasks.
The Bayraktar Akinci was also airborne immediately following the February 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquakes, conducting search and rescue, coordination, security, and damage assessment operations. Nine Akinci UAVs were in the air right after the earthquake, playing a critical role in the ongoing recovery efforts.
