Breaking News
Türkiye Moves Closer to Operational Autonomous Cruise Missile with Successful Test of Kemankeş-1 Missile.
Turkish defense company Baykar announced on March 16, 2025, the successful completion of a new test of the Kemankeş-1, a miniature cruise missile equipped with an artificial intelligence-based guidance system. The missile was launched from a Bayraktar TB2 drone, confirming the progress of the program following an initial successful test on March 1, 2025. With multiple trials, Türkiye is advancing the development of autonomous military capabilities, strengthening its position in the field of intelligent weapon systems.
With a total weight of 30 kg and a length of 1.8 meters, the Kemankeş-1 is equipped with a six-kilogram warhead, designed for high-explosive or fragmentation effects, making it effective against fortified targets, armored vehicles, or enemy positions (Picture source: Baykar)
The Kemankeş-1 is designed for precision strikes on strategic targets, featuring a range of 200 kilometers and a unit cost below $50,000. This reflects Türkiye's approach to producing cost-effective autonomous weaponry. Compatible with the Bayraktar AKINCI, TB2, and TB3 drones, the missile is powered by a jet engine, allowing it to reach speeds of 600 km/h and operate at an altitude of 18,000 feet. Its electro-optical guidance system, combined with inertial navigation, ensures high targeting accuracy, with a probable circular error of less than five meters, even in adverse weather conditions. Additionally, its anti-jamming technology enhances its resistance to electronic countermeasures.
With a total weight of 30 kg and a length of 1.8 meters, the Kemankeş-1 is equipped with a six-kilogram warhead, designed for high-explosive or fragmentation effects, making it effective against fortified targets, armored vehicles, or enemy positions. A key capability is its ability to loiter over a target area for up to an hour, providing real-time data transmission before engaging, making it a versatile asset for military operations.
The Kemankeş-1 program is part of Türkiye’s broader strategy for technological self-sufficiency. Since 2021, Baykar has prioritized the replacement of imported components with domestically produced alternatives, particularly following restrictions on Western military technology exports to Türkiye. Currently, over 90% of the missile's components are of Turkish origin, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and limiting exposure to potential sanctions.
Baykar plans to produce 100 units annually by 2026, with additional testing scheduled to assess the missile’s performance under electronic warfare conditions and extreme weather environments. Its integration with AKINCI drones, which have a payload capacity of 5,500 kg, allows for coordinated attack strategies, with the potential to deploy multiple missiles simultaneously to challenge enemy air defenses.
On an international scale, Türkiye sees the Kemankeş-1 as a strategic asset for strengthening defense exports. In 2024, the country’s defense industry recorded $4.4 billion in revenue, with Baykar’s drones already sold to more than 20 countries. The missile is expected to appeal to buyers seeking integrated UAV-missile solutions, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, where Türkiye has established military partnerships.
In a complex geopolitical environment, the Kemankeş-1 provides Türkiye with additional deterrence capabilities. As a NATO member, the country is enhancing its defense posture against regional actors such as Iran and non-state groups operating in Syria and Iraq. Its affordability and adaptability make it an alternative to larger cruise missiles, such as the U.S.-made Tomahawk, which are more expensive and require different deployment methods.
With this second successful test, the Kemankeş-1 is progressing toward operational deployment, marking a significant milestone in Türkiye’s development of autonomous and networked weapon systems.