60 Bayra Akinci combat drones are going to be available everywhere!
Akinci Combat Drone (UCAV) operators in Bayraktar, Saudi Arabia have successfully completed their training at Turkish drone manufacturing giant Baykar Training Center recently and will soon return to Saudi Arabia after officially graduating.
In fact, in 2023, Saudi Arabia purchased a total of 60 Akinci (UCAV) combat drones from Turkey's Baykar Company at a contract price of $3.1 billion. Türkiye will gradually start supplying it from the beginning of 2026. The main users of this combat drone will be the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Saudi Naval Force.
The Turkish-made Akinci Combat Drone (UCAV) is a high-tech heavy-duty combat drone that functions as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UCAV). It can launch air-to-air and air-to-ground attacks using artificial intelligence (AI).
Its air combat capabilities are designed and built to be much more than a typical drone. It is capable of flying at high altitudes, staying aloft for long periods of time, and carrying a variety of weapons (such as light missiles and smart bombs). However, unexpectedly on October 8, a Turkish Akinci drone was shot down or destroyed by the rebels or Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the air of the Darfur region of South Sudan.
It is one of the largest combat drones in service in the world. Which is capable of carrying and attacking Air Launched Based Stand Off Cruise Missile (SOM). Türkiye has already revealed that it will be able to launch cruise missiles equipped with nuclear warheads of low capacity and weight.
Its length is 12.5 meters, the distance between two wings is 20 meters and the height is 4.10 meters. Its maximum takeoff weight is 5,500 kg. The Akinci-B series combat drones are powered by two 750 horsepower AI-450 turboprop engines manufactured by Ivshenko Progress, a Ukrainian Motor Seach company. However, the latest upgraded version Akinci-C series combat drone uses two powerful turboprop engines of 850 horsepower.
It can fly at a maximum height of 45,000 feet above the ground (service ceiling). Its top speed is 361.14 km per hour and cruise speed is 280 kmph. Moreover, its tested operational range is 7,500 km.
It is capable of conducting combat missions up to 24/25 hours continuously in the air once fueled. And currently, Akinchi's speed of 361.14 km is considered to be the fastest aerial (UCAV) system in terms of drone technology.
As the avionics system, Bayrakhtar's Akinci Combat Drone (UCAV) has been installed with own indigenous technology (AESA) radar, electronics support pod and Sight and Satellite Communication System, Assansal Common Aperture Targeting System and Electronics Warfare System.
Again, if you check the maritime strike capability of this drone, it can be seen that it is actually ahead of many light combat aircraft. It is more of a semi-stealth capability so the enemy side cannot detect it very easily. Moreover, with advanced avionics system (AESA) radar system, data link system and electronics warfare pod is able to detect enemy warships at sea very efficiently.
The 6 hard points of this combat drone can carry a total of 1,350 kg of missiles, guided and unguided missiles and bombs. Moreover, in addition to carrying cruise missiles, the ability to destroy enemy warplanes and helicopters in the air with air-to-air missile hits has made this Turkish combat drone one of the best combat drones in the world.
This combat drone is equipped with Turkey's own technology MAM-L, MAM-C, Javelin, L-UMTAS, Bozak, MK-81, MK-82, MK-83, Winged Guidance Kit (UPS) MK-82 devices as well as stand-off cruise missiles (Air Launched Cruise Missiles) such as Gulukan, Bozdwan and SOM. Moreover, anti-tank missiles made by Rocketsun (L-UMTAS) can be installed on it.
This combat vehicle (UCAV) is controlled through an advanced autonomous (AI) controlling system. It can control itself like an autonomous robot and is specially designed to take off and land automatically.
Sources: The Daily Sabah, Wikipedia, Baykar, Turkey Today, Defense Security Asia
