Bayraktar KIZILELMA Deliveries Explained: Türkiye’s First Unmanned Combat Aircraft

KIZILELMA is a combat aircraft designed to perform the missions of crewed fighters unmanned. Its jet engine gives it high speed and maneuverability, while its low-observable airframe and internally carried munitions give it a survivable design in the mission area.

With a wingspan of about 10 m and an 8.5-tonne maximum take-off weight, KIZILELMA can carry close to 1.5 tonnes of payload and stay aloft for nearly three hours. Two of its eight weapon stations are internal, helping preserve its low radar signature.

KIZILELMA makes Türkiye one of the few countries able to develop an unmanned combat aircraft. Lower-cost than crewed fighters and with no risk of pilot loss, this platform drew wide international coverage as a concept shaping the future of air combat.

Together with the national fighter KAAN and the AKINCI/TB3 UAVs, KIZILELMA is positioned as a key part of the crewed-uncrewed mix of Türkiye’s future air power. Low observability and internal weapons carriage make it suited to the fifth-generation combat environment.

Per Baykar officials, five KIZILELMA prototypes have been built and two serial-production aircraft are ready for delivery. The platform is planned to enter Turkish Armed Forces service in the first quarter of 2026.

With the move to serial production, KIZILELMA is advancing from test and development toward operational use. A maturing production line lays the groundwork for meeting both the Turkish military’s needs and potential export demand.

KIZILELMA flew with the MURAD AESA radar developed by ASELSAN. With this radar, KIZILELMA can detect and track multiple targets at over 200 km — making it effective not only in air-to-ground but also air-to-air missions.

With eight weapon stations, KIZILELMA can carry air-to-air missiles (Gökdoğan/Bozdoğan) and air-to-ground munitions. Two internal stations preserve its low radar signature, an advantage in stealthy missions.

KIZILELMA’s short takeoff-and-landing capability makes it a candidate to operate from Türkiye’s drone carrier TCG Anadolu — meaning the ship could be reinforced not only with turboprop UAVs like TB3 but with a jet-powered unmanned combat aircraft.

A ship-launched unmanned combat aircraft delivers a fundamental capability leap in overseas power projection. With KIZILELMA and TB3 considered together, TCG Anadolu becomes a platform able to conduct both reconnaissance and strike from the air.

KIZILELMA’s first version (KIZILELMA-A) flies with a turbofan jet engine. Baykar is working on higher-powered, higher-performance variants (KIZILELMA-B and advanced versions capable of supersonic speed).

As engine power increases, KIZILELMA’s speed, altitude and payload are expected to rise. This incremental development approach lets the platform be adapted to a wider mission set over time.

KIZILELMA is produced by Baykar. As Türkiye’s first unmanned combat aircraft, it symbolizes the vision of moving the country’s air power toward a crewed-uncrewed mix.

Low cost, no risk of pilot loss and stealthy mission capability make KIZILELMA a strategic capability for both deterrence and exports. Together with KAAN, AKINCI and TB3, KIZILELMA will be a cornerstone of Türkiye’s future air-combat ecosystem.

Bayraktar KIZILELMA made its first flight on 14 December 2022.

KIZILELMA is planned to be delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces in the first quarter of 2026.

KIZILELMA uses ASELSAN’s MURAD AESA radar and can track multiple targets at over 200 km.

With eight stations it can carry Gökdoğan/Bozdoğan air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground munitions; two stations are internal.

Thanks to short takeoff-and-landing capability, KIZILELMA is a candidate to operate from ships like TCG Anadolu.

KIZILELMA is produced by Baykar.