Turkish UAV & Loitering Munitions | Developments & News

Combat-Master said:
Croatian trainees completed Bayraktar TB2 UAV training Baykar: "Our trainees from Croatia successfully completed the Bayraktar TB2 UAV training held at the Baykar Flight Training Center in Keşan and graduated. We congratulate our graduated trainees."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1953879294478025197
View: https://x.com/Defence_Turk/status/1953879294478025197
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:D

https://twitter.com/x/status/1954193318700597544
View: https://x.com/Defense_Talks/status/1954193318700597544
 
"Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani has arrived in Türkiye for an official visit, during which he will inspect the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at Baykar’s facilities.

According to diplomatic sources speaking to Reuters, Nakatani’s agenda includes meetings with major Turkish defense companies such as Baykar and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), focusing on UAVs and broader defense cooperation.

The visit is expected to include a technical review of the TB2’s capabilities."

www.turkiyetoday.com

Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani to inspect Bayraktar TB2 in Türkiye - Türkiye Today

Japan’s Gen Nakatani inspects Baykar TB2 UAVs in Türkiye amid $676M defense UAV budget and plans for short-term imports and long-term domestic use
www.turkiyetoday.com www.turkiyetoday.com

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Large Japanese delegation, including Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (Interest in TB3?)
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Bayraktar TB2T-AI achieved a new milestone, reaching 40,023 feet during a high-altitude test, surpassing its previous record.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1959358507523928386
View: https://x.com/gooksel/status/1959358507523928386


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Also, away from high-altitude achievement; looks like TB2T-AI received large aperture IR camera at the front and rear tail section - same or similar ones used on Kizilelma. Possibly indicating that TB2T-AI may get dedicated capabilities to hunt aerial vehicles.

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Combat-Master said:
Croatian trainees completed Bayraktar TB2 UAV training Baykar: "Our trainees from Croatia successfully completed the Bayraktar TB2 UAV training held at the Baykar Flight Training Center in Keşan and graduated. We congratulate our graduated trainees."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1953879294478025197
View: https://x.com/Defence_Turk/status/1953879294478025197
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Croatia has officially added Bayraktar TB2 UAVs into its inventory; ConFig wise - they've selected Aselfir-500 E/O for the eyes and MAM series munitions

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amchan said:
Can anyone confirm reports of up to 4 Sudanese Akincis being downed?
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As far as I'm aware, the current number is 3, not four.

https://www.military.africa/2025/09/rsf-shoots-down-sudans-third-akinci-drone/

images


The problem is that, as far as we can tell, the Sudanese Akıncıs are only equipped with MAM-Ls (15km max range). Meanwhile, the UAE has supplied the RSF with long-range Israeli radars and Chinese medium-range SAMs.

Sudan is using these Akıncıs in a very close air support role, which is not what they were designed or built for. It's got two PT-6s, an expensive EO sensor, numerous avionics and 450kg internal+900kg external payload capacity. It's not a cheap or nimble aircraft.

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Honestly, I'm surprised more haven't been shot down already.
 
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snne said:
As far as I'm aware, the current number is 3, not four.

images


The problem is that, as far as we can tell, the Sudanese Akıncıs are only equipped with MAM-Ls (15km max range). Meanwhile, the UAE has supplied the RSF with long-range Israeli radars and Chinese medium-range SAMs.

Sudan is using these Akıncıs in a very close air support role, which is not what they were designed or built for. It's got two PT-6s, an expensive EO sensor, numerous avionics and 450kg internal+900kg external payload capacity. It's not a cheap or nimble aircraft.

4le1qe9fir591.jpg


Honestly, I'm surprised more haven't been shot down already.
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Seems a case of product misuse. At the very least they should perform some sort of SEAD before going in with MAM-L and other short ranged munitions. Guess they couldn’t afford the standoff range missiles?

If they need close in support TB-2 is more than adequate for the role. Don’t know why they insist on risking a much more expensive asset.
 
siegecrossbow said:
Seems a case of product misuse. At the very least they should perform some sort of SEAD before going in with MAM-L and other short ranged munitions. Guess they couldn’t afford the standoff range missiles?

If they need close in support TB-2 is more than adequate for the role. Don’t know why they insist on risking a much more expensive asset.
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As per Wikipedia, Sudan doesn't have any TB-2s, though they have the CASC Rainbow and the even cheaper Pakistani Shahpar-II. The UAE has also supplied the RSF with the Wing Loong II.

Guess they couldn’t afford the standoff range missiles?
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Almost half of those payloads are bomb kits anyway, and they do glide a decent distance even when dropped from the Akıncı at medium altitude and slow speed. I don't understand why they didn’t procure these cheap items and are okay with the risk of losing an expensive, valuable aircraft especially when we know that other Akıncı operators have received bomb kits.
 
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Haluk Bayraktar’s Speech at Defense Tech Valley 2025:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wY23QVYURQ

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Interesting, Baykar Tech doesn't promote it's YIHA loitering munition - but has been seen in several countries already;

Albania -
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Azerbaijan -
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Pakistan -
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Ukraine - wreckage found by Russians
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https://twitter.com/x/status/1995021397882491015
View: https://x.com/ragipsoylu/status/1995021397882491015?s=20

Unmanned Fighter Jet Bayraktar KIZILELMA Hits Target in First Air-to-Air Test-Firing​

www.navalnews.com

Unmanned Fighter Jet Bayraktar KIZILELMA Hits Target in First Air-to-Air Test-Firing - Naval News

On November 30, 2025, Turkey’s drone manufacturer Baykar announced that the Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned fighter jet successfully engaged and destroyed an aerial target using the indigenously developed GÖKDOGAN air-to-air missile.
www.navalnews.com www.navalnews.com
 
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Forest Green said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1997597024980738092
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Kemankeş-2 and that loitering munition using the L-UMTAS warhead were mainly developed by Baykar's Pakistani subsidiary in collaboration with prominent Pakistani firms like NASTP. Baykar's role was very minimal, involving just a few tests and slapping its logo on the product.

Besides, the S-400s are collecting dust inside hangars since the last operational test in 2020. Turkey has little experience operating the S-400, although it has an ex-Croatian 96L6E (Cheese Board - S-300 acquisition radar) in the Eskişehir test range to develop SEAD/DEAD/EW tactics, methods, equipment, and countermeasures against.

www.defenceturkey.com

S-400 Air Defense System Deployed at Sinop Test Range for Comprehensive Radar and Firing Test Campaign!

www.defenceturkey.com www.defenceturkey.com
 
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