IDEF 2025: Turkish Drone KIZILELMA Enhances Autonomous Strike Capabilities for Naval Aviation.

Presented at the 2025 edition of the IDEF defense exhibition, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA marks a key milestone in Türkiye’s development of autonomous air combat systems. Entirely developed within national borders, this unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) reflects Baykar’s objective to position Türkiye at the forefront of military aviation technologies, at a time when stealth-capable, autonomous platforms are increasingly replacing crewed aircraft.
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The KIZILELMA builds on Baykar’s accumulated experience in the development of MALE and HALE drones to deliver a system designed for the operational environments of future conflict (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The KIZILELMA builds on Baykar’s accumulated experience in the development of MALE and HALE drones to deliver a system designed for the operational environments of future conflict. Its architecture combines high maneuverability with a reduced radar cross-section, allowing it to operate discreetly in contested airspace. Designed for use aboard short-runway aircraft carriers, it is capable of autonomous takeoff and landing, broadening its deployment options, particularly in naval environments.

Intended to address the operational needs of contemporary hybrid and asymmetric conflicts, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA may serve in missions such as deep penetration strikes, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), or coordinated actions alongside crewed and uncrewed platforms. With its ability to fly at transonic speeds, at low altitude, and with radar-reducing features, it is suited to target high-value assets while minimizing crew exposure. In littoral areas or anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) scenarios, its compatibility with light aircraft carriers and drone carriers like the TCG Anadolu adds relevance within a broader offensive naval framework. It may also operate as an escort for crewed fighters or provide advanced ISR relay capabilities in forward positions.

The Bayraktar KIZILELMA has a maximum takeoff weight of 8.5 tons and can carry up to 1.5 tons of payload, including ISR sensors and guided weapons. Its operational range reaches 500 nautical miles, with an endurance of more than three hours at a cruising altitude of 25,000 feet. It can reach a service ceiling of 45,000 feet. Powered by a turbofan engine, the aircraft cruises at Mach 0.6 and reaches a maximum speed of Mach 0.9, depending on the variant.

Its onboard systems include an electro-optical targeting suite, an infrared search and track system, and a multi-mode AESA radar. It is designed to operate both within line of sight (LOS) and beyond line of sight (BLOS). The platform is expected to be available in subsonic, transonic, and supersonic configurations, offering a flexible range of performance profiles tailored to meet mission requirements.

With a wingspan of 10 meters, a length of 14.5 meters, and a height of 3.5 meters, the aircraft is capable of autonomous flight across all phases, takeoff, cruise, landing, and taxiing, supporting extended-duration missions. It is compatible with laser-guided munitions, air-to-ground missiles, and long-range cruise missiles.

The KIZILELMA is part of a broader industrial strategy by Baykar focused on vertical integration, proprietary software development, and increased technological maturity in the field of autonomous combat systems. As a central actor in Türkiye’s defense technology sector, the company aims to develop multiple iterations of the platform to address both domestic defense needs and international demand. However, the potential export and adoption of the KIZILELMA by partner or allied armed forces will depend on political considerations, export control constraints, and the evolution of operational doctrines regarding next-generation unmanned systems.