KIZILELMA’s first export goes to Indonesia: a deal for up to 60 unmanned fighters

Baykar’s unmanned fighter, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, has found its first export customer: Indonesia. Signed at SAHA 2026, the deal covers an initial 12 aircraft and can rise to 60 with options. Deliveries are set to begin in 2028.

The Bayraktar KIZILELMA is one of Turkey's flagship projects in the unmanned-fighter class. — The Bayraktar KIZILELMA is one of Turkey’s flagship projects in the unmanned-fighter class.

At a Glance

What: KIZILELMA’s first export deal — Indonesia
Quantity: 12 aircraft + 48 options = up to 60
Signed: SAHA 2026 (Istanbul)
Delivery: begins in 2028
Extras: local production, maintenance and training in Indonesia; tied to KAAN cooperation

The first unmanned-fighter export

One of the symbols of Turkey’s defense industry, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, has secured its first overseas customer. Under a deal signed by Baykar with Indonesia at the SAHA 2026 exhibition, Baykar will initially supply 12 unmanned combat aircraft, with an option for 48 more across four additional squadrons — potentially reaching 60 aircraft in total. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028.

The agreement is more than a platform sale: it establishes local production, maintenance, integration and training infrastructure inside Indonesia, tying the KIZILELMA program to broader Turkey-Indonesia cooperation spanning the KAAN fighter, missiles, sensors and autonomous-warfare systems.

KIZILELMA made its maiden flight on 14 December 2022; this marks its first export contract.

KIZILELMA: a new class of unmanned air combat

With low-observable (stealth) lines, the KIZILELMA offers a strike capability comparable to many light combat aircraft — without risking a pilot — thanks to an 8,500 kg maximum take-off weight and a 1,500 kg payload. The platform features a 500-nautical-mile (~925 km) combat radius, a Mach 0.6 cruise / Mach 0.9 top speed and a 45,000 ft service ceiling.

Item	Value
Customer	Indonesia (first export)
Quantity	12 + 48 options (up to 60)
Signed / Delivery	SAHA 2026 / from 2028
Max take-off weight	8,500 kg
Payload	1,500 kg
Combat radius	~500 nautical miles
Speed / Ceiling	Mach 0.9 / 45,000 ft

The indigenous TEI TF-6000 turbofan sits at the center of KIZILELMA's domestic-engine goal. — The indigenous TEI TF-6000 turbofan sits at the center of KIZILELMA’s domestic-engine goal.

A strategic threshold for Turkey

The contract cements Turkey’s leading global position in unmanned combat aircraft. That KIZILELMA — which first flew on 14 December 2022 — secured an export customer even before reaching full serial-production maturity speaks to the confidence in Turkey’s defense industry on the world market. Together with work on the indigenous TEI TF-6000 engine, the program is also advancing toward reduced foreign dependency.