Turkish defense giant Baykar has released footage of its Bayraktar Akıncı strike drone undergoing tests with two Ukrainian-made turboprop engines and the latest generation of loitering smart weapons.
The video, shared on X by Baykar’s technical director and co-owner Selçuk Bayraktar, shows the Akıncı taxiing down the runway, taking off, and executing precision strikes under remote control from a ground station.
Powered by two Ukrainian AI-450T turboprop engines, the Akıncı can achieve the high-altitude performance needed for long-range strike and reconnaissance missions. The twin engines provide the thrust required to operate at over 39,000 ft (12,000 meters) for up to 24 hours.
During the tests, the drone successfully deployed the latest Alpagut and Eren loitering smart munitions, designed for pinpoint accuracy against a variety of targets.
Baykar began developing the Akıncı in 2018, unveiling the first prototype that same year.
In 2019, the Ukrainian state-owned Ukrspetsexport partnered with Baykar Makina to form a joint venture in high-precision weapons and aerospace technology. Just days later, Ukraine delivered two AI-450T engines for integration into the Akıncı.
First showcased publicly at Teknofest 2019, the Akıncı is a heavy combat drone with a 20-meter wingspan, capable of carrying 1,350 kg of payload – from air-to-ground missiles to precision-guided bombs and other smart munitions.
Its modular design allows for future upgrades, including advanced sensors, phased-array radar, and high-resolution optical systems.
Baykar gained global attention when its systems were used extensively by Kyiv during the early days of Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Praised at the time for their effectiveness in destroying Russian tanks, the Bayraktar drones have since been shifted to primarily reconnaissance roles.
This change comes as Russia’s air defenses and electronic warfare capabilities have significantly improved, making offensive drone operations riskier.
Baykar is widely seen as being close to the Turkish government. Its chief technology officer, Selçuk Bayraktar, is married to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s daughter, prompting speculation that he may be groomed as a potential political successor.
In late October 2024, Baykar signed a classified agreement with Ukraine at the Saha Expo Defence & Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul, as reported by the Kyiv Post. The announcement was made on the company’s Facebook page.
During the event, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha – who served as ambassador to Turkey from 2016 to 2021 – thanked Turkish defense contractors for their support and encouraged further investment in Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.
Baykar’s cooperation with Ukraine has been developing for years. In 2022, reports emerged of plans to establish production facilities in Kyiv. In June 2023, Turkey granted Ukraine a license to manufacture the drones locally.
By February 2024, Baykar’s CEO confirmed that construction of a drone plant in the Kyiv region was underway, with completion expected within 12 months. Once operational, the facility is projected to produce up to 120 drones annually.