Chief of General Staff Bayraktaroğlu: Turkish Armed Forces Aim to Produce 5 Million Kamikaze Systems in 5 Years, 10 Million in 10
Chief of the General Staff Gen. Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu said the Turkish Armed Forces aim to produce and field 5 million kamikaze systems in five years and 10 million in ten. He also said domestic content in the defence industry has reached 83 percent.
What Bayraktaroğlu Said
The remarks came at the award ceremony of the International Best Military Drone Team Competition at the Şehit Kara Pilot Üsteğmen Gürcan Ulucan field in Temelli, Ankara. Bayraktaroğlu said:
“The domestic content rate in our defence industry reaching 83 percent is a concrete result of the work carried out with determination. The capabilities developed in unmanned systems also show the technological level reached. As the Turkish Armed Forces, we aim to produce and bring into inventory 5 million kamikaze systems in 5 years and 10 million in 10 years.”
Some reports render the target as “kamikaze UAVs”, while Yeni Akit, relaying the speech, uses “kamikaze systems”. It is therefore unclear whether the target covers only aerial platforms or also naval and land vehicles.
Harmony Between Crewed and Uncrewed Systems
Bayraktaroğlu said the winner of future battles will be whoever uses crewed and uncrewed systems most harmoniously, with the aim of protecting personnel, reducing casualties and raising operational effectiveness. He added that the armed forces are a deterrent force in their region and that cooperation strengthens it.
Türkiye Won the Competition
In the competition, first organised by the Land Forces Command, pilots were judged on speed, manoeuvring and flying skill over a 23-obstacle course. The Turkish Land Forces’ 1st team won, followed by Pakistan, Italy and France. Bayraktaroğlu presented the winners’ award. For the event, see our earlier report.
What Was Not Disclosed
The speech did not say which platforms the target covers, which companies would build them, the budget or the annual production schedule.
