Türkiye’s Akinci UCAV celebrates 100,000 flight hours across 11 countries
A Bayraktar AKINCI unmanned combat aerial vehicle traverses the face of a full moon, accessed on 11 March, 2025. (Photo via Baykar)
Türkiye’s indigenous Bayraktar Akinci Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) has surpassed 100,000 flight hours, marking a significant achievement for the nation’s defense industry, Baykar announced Tuesday.
The combat drone, developed under the leadership of Türkiye’s Defense Industry Agency (SSB), has garnered international attention with export agreements spanning 11 countries.
Akinci’s critical search, rescue operation
In May 2024, the Akinci demonstrated its operational capabilities during a high-profile mission in Iran. The UCAV played a pivotal role in locating the wreckage of a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his delegation following a crash.
Flying at altitudes as low as 300 feet in challenging conditions, including heavy fog and strong winds over mountainous terrain, the drone utilized advanced sensors and night vision technology to identify the crash site coordinates, which were subsequently relayed to Iranian authorities.
Bayraktar Akinci’s aviation milestones
The Akinci has established several precedents in aviation history, including a close formation flight with the Bayraktar Kizilelma unmanned fighter jet during tests in Corlu, Tekirdag, in April 2023. This achievement was showcased again at Teknofest 2023 before a live audience.
The UCAV also performed formation flights with Soloturk, Hurkus, and the Turkish Stars at Teknofest, and most recently conducted a formation flight with the Bayraktar TB3 during deployment from Corlu to Kesan in May 2024.
For the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), two Akinci UCAVs completed a historic 1,022-kilometer flight from Tekirdag to Gecitkale Airport in approximately three hours.
In 2022, the UCAV set Türkiye’s national altitude record, reaching 45,118 feet during endurance tests conducted under the observation of official delegations from the Defense Industry Agency and the Air Force Command.
Akinci’s humanitarian applications and advanced weapons integration
Following devastating earthquakes in Kahramanmaras in February 2023, nine Akinci drones provided continuous support for search-and-rescue operations, coordination, and damage assessment. They were the only aircraft able to fly immediately after the disaster, despite harsh weather conditions.
Baykar has successfully integrated numerous domestically developed munitions with the platform, including precision-guided weapons such as MAM-L, MAM-L TV, MAM-T, TOLUN, Teber-81, Teber-82, and the Cakir Cruise Missile. According to company statements, this integration tests have demonstrated “pinpoint accuracy” against targets.
Next generation development
The latest variant, Bayraktar Akinci C, conducted its first test flight on Feb. 24, 2025, remaining airborne for over an hour. With a total power output of 1,700 HP (2×850 HP), this version is positioned to become “the most effective and capable combat platform in its class,” according to Baykar.
The first Akinci completed its maiden flight on Dec. 6, 2019, and officially entered service on August 29, 2021.
Baykar’s economic impact
Baykar has emerged as a significant contributor to Türkiye’s defense exports. In July 2023, the company signed what it described as “the largest single aviation export in Türkiye’s history” with Saudi Arabia’s Defense Ministry for Akinci UCAVs to enter service with the Saudi Royal Air Force and Navy Command.
The company generated $1.8 billion in exports in both 2023 and 2024, with international sales accounting for 90% of revenue last year. Baykar has signed export agreements with 36 countries in total for its various UAV platforms.
In February 2025, Baykar established a co-production agreement with Indonesia for both the Bayraktar TB3 and Akinci platforms, furthering Türkiye’s global defense partnerships.
