AKINCI and Bayraktar TB2 Land and Take Off From a Turkish Highway
An AKINCI and two Bayraktar TB2 armed drones developed by Baykar landed on and took off from the Manisa-Balıkesir highway in western Türkiye on 12 November, in a drill simulating an emergency in which runways are unusable. The three aircraft flew in from different bases and met on the same stretch of road.
According to Baykar’s statement on 13 November 2026, the activity was coordinated by the Ministry of National Defence (MSB), the General Directorate of Highways (KGM) and Baykar. The goal is to keep unmanned aircraft operating without interruption if runways are bombed or otherwise unavailable in war or disaster. It was the first application of field work that began with route surveys across Türkiye.
Three Aircraft, Three Bases
A Bayraktar TB2 used by Baykar for training and testing took off from Keşan, an AKINCI from Çorlu, and a Bayraktar TB2 from the Turkish Land Forces Command inventory from İzmir. All three landed on the highway and took off again from the same road. Including a TB2 from the army’s own fleet shows the concept was tested with operational aircraft, not only company prototypes.
How a Road Became a Runway
The road was closed to traffic and fire and ambulance teams stood by, while Manisa Governorship, provincial gendarmerie and police secured the route. Baykar’s footage shows ground control equipment and antenna masts set up beside the carriageway. The drill was observed by the Turkish Armed Forces’ service commands, as well as the national police, Gendarmerie and Coast Guard.
KIZILELMA and TB3 Next
Baykar says the concept will be extended to all its unmanned aircraft. Plans call for every platform, including the KIZILELMA unmanned fighter and the ship-based Bayraktar TB3, to be able to land on and take off from suitable highway routes. Using highways as reserve runways is not new: Sweden and Finland have practised fighter jet road landings for decades so that aircraft are not tied to air bases that could be struck in the first hours of a war.
