Selcuk Bayraktar highlights Akinci’s role in the helicopter crash

Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar praises Turkish Armed Forces for their daring Akinci UAV mission in aiding Iran after helicopter crash, despite perilous weather conditions

Selcuk Bayraktar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Baykar, the manufacturer of Akinci, commented on the helicopter crash in which Reisi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abdullahiyan died.

“In a mountainous terrain, heavy fog, rain and wind were all negatives. Despite this, the Turkish Armed Forces, who led Akinci, flew only 100 meters from some of the mountainous elevations and took a great risk,” he stated.

A Turkish Akinci UAV successfully pinpointed  the crash site of the helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi, providing critical assistance to Iranian authorities. Despite challenging weather conditions including dense fog, snow, and mountainous terrain, the Turkish Armed Forces piloting the Akıncı navigated as close as 100 meters to mountain elevations, demonstrating remarkable precision and courage.

The incident occurred on Sunday, May 20, resulting in the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdullahian. Türkiye promptly responded to Iran’s request for assistance, deploying resources for a strenuous 15-hour search and rescue operation amid harsh weather conditions.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed Türkiye’s commitment to aiding Iran in the search efforts. Utilizing the Akinci UAV, Türkiye swiftly located the crash site and shared precise coordinates with Iranian authorities.

“The wreckage about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from the border was reached very quickly and in a short time. It served in adverse conditions that no other aircraft in the world can fly,” Bayraktar said.

Source: Newsroom