Additional information

Development

Unveiled at TEKOFEST Istanbul Aviation, Space and Technology Festival in September 2019, the platform is a successor to the popular Bayraktar TB2. Akinci completed its first flight in December 2019. On 22 April 2021, it completed its first firing tests. The platform is set to enter the service of the Turkish Armed Forces at some point in 2021. 

In June 2021, Haluk Bakraktar, CEO of Baykar Makina, revealed a surge in the production of the platform. This production ramp-up suggests that the Turkish Armed Forces deliveries are on target. A month later, in July 2021, Baykar reported that the platform completed a 25-hour flight test, reaching a peak altitude just above 38,000 feet. 

On 24 April 2023, the Akinci and Kizilelma conducted an autonomous flight in close formation. As reported by Shephard, Selcuk Bayraktar, the Chief Technology Officer and Chairman of Baykar Tech., touted the flight as a first in world aviation history.

Technical Description

Mobility & Propulsion

Several different engines can power the platform. From Motor Sich, the AI-450T turboprop engine or, as announced in November 2021, the MS500 turboprop engine can be fitted to the platform. Akinci can also be fitted with two PD-170 engines from Tusas Engine Industries (TEI). In September 2021, Tusas Engine Industries (TEI) unveiled its newest engine, the PD222ST. 

A newer version of the PD-170 engine, which currently powers the Aknici, TEI, stated that it could install the new engine on any platform that currently uses the PD-170. On 2 March 2022, Haluk Bayraktar announced on Twitter that the Akinci B had completed its maiden flight while fitted with two 750hp engines. In addition, he stated an Akinci C fitted with two 950hp engines would soon be in the skies. However, in February 2024, the drone conducted its first flight with two 850p engines.

As reported by the Daily Sabah, In May 2023, the UAV conducted its first flight fitted with the indigenous turbojet engine KALE KTJ-1750. In October 2024, Haluk Bayraktar announced it was investing $300 million to develop various jet engines over the next five years, including a turboprop engine for the Akinci and a turbofan engine for Kizilelma.

Control & Communication

A cross-redundant GCS controls the platform and features fully automatic and semi-automatic flight modes and unique flight control and avionics architecture.

The GCS utilises LOS control and video transmission, and BLOS control and video transmission are embaled through SATCOM. The GCS is housed in a NATO specification shelter system which contains radar and payload consoles, a multi-function pilot console and tactical radio systems. 

Payloads

The platform can carry 1,350kg in useful load with 900kg of external and 450kg of internal load. According to the manufacturer, Bayraktar, a customer can utilise this payload capacity on a range of strike payloads and EO/IR cameras. The UAV adheres to NATO standards for munitions, meaning customers can integrate their indigenously-designed munitions onto the platform. However, as reported by Oryx Blog, the Akinci will likely mostly be fitted with Turkish-made strike payloads, meaning any customers acquiring the platform can acquire it and its payloads from the same country. Listed below are the Turkish payloads that can be and are in the process of being certified for the Akinci. 

- MURAD AESA -

As reported by Shephard, since 2019, Aselsan has developed a new indigenous MURAD active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar to integrate into the Akinci and other platforms operated by the Turkish Air Force. The Akinci variant of the sub-system is expected to be integrated by early 2023. 

- Air-To-Air Missles (AAMs) -

According to Oryx, the Akinci can host the Rokestan Sungur's IIR-guided MANPADS and TÜBİTAK SAGE's Bozdoğan IIR-guided AAM, Gökdoğan BVRAAM and the in-development Akdoğan AAM. 

At the SAHA Expo 2022, Baykar signed a contract with Rokestan to integrate the Sungur air defence missile system on its drones, especially the TB2 and Akinici. Haluk Bayraktar told Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) that Baykar was conducting tests with the missile system, a system which he believed would be used to "engage drones" and "other enemy aircraft". The Daily Sabah noted that the integration of the missile system on the TB2 and Akinici could lead to the creation of a low-cost air patrol concept in eliminating threats such as enemy drones, particularly kamikaze drones. 

- Cruise Missiles -

In addition, TÜBİTAK SAGE's SOM-A, SOM-B, SOM-B2, SOM-C1, COM-C2, and SOM-J cruise missiles can be hosted by the combat drone. 

In May 2023, Baykar successfully fired Rokestan's Çakır mini cruise missile from the UAV. Ismail Demir, head of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), stated online that "for the first time in the world, a cruise missile was fired from a UCAV". 

- Loitering Munitions -

The drone can also host Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) Şimşek and STM's Alpagu loitering munition

- Precision-Guided Munitions (PGMs) -

Akinci can also host a range of PGMs. From TÜBİTAK SAGE, it can host the Togan, Bozok, Kayi 30, Kayi 50, GÖKÇE, GÖZDE, HGK-2, HGK-3, HGK-4, LHG-4, Kuzgun-SS, KGK-82, KGK-SIHA-82 and the KGK-83. Rokestan's MAM-L, MAM-C, MAM-T, Teber-81, Teber-82 and Laçin be also be fitted. As can Aselsan's Small Diameter Bomb and its IIR Small Diameter Bomb.

On 24 April 2022, Naval News reported that the Akninci engaged a sea target with Rokestan's Teber-82 Guidance kit. The event marked the first sea-target engagement of the Akinci. 

- Precision-Guided Bunker Busters -

TÜBİTAK SAGE's SERT-82, SARB-83, SARB-83T and NEB-84 can be fitted to the Turkish UAV. 

- Precision-Guided Air-To-Surface Missles (ASMs) -

Rokestan's L-UTMAS and Cirit can be fitted, as can TÜBİTAK SAGE's Kuzgun-KY and Kuzgun-TJ ASMs. In December 2022, Turkey's first air-to-ground supersonic missile, Rokestan's TRG-230, was first fired from the Akinci UCAV. A few months later, in April 2023, Baykar announced that IHA-230 Supersonic ballistic miles had been fired from the drone; the missile has a range of 140km.

Unit Cost

Since no flyaway unit cost is known, one can be estimated based on the platform's MTOW and a Shephard model. Using this model, the UAV's flyaway unit cost is estimated at $25 million, and its gross unit cost is $31.25 million.

Customers

Azerbaijan

On 30 July 2022, earlier reports were confirmed when photographs emerged online showing a group of Azerbaijani soldiers receiving an Akinci training at the Çorlu facility. Over a year later, on 5 February 2024, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Selcuk Bayraktar for the initiation ceremony for the drone, held at Salycan city. Shephard estimates three units had been acquired for a total contract value of $90 million. 

Additionally, a number of sub-systems have been acquired for the country's Akinci fleet, including Aselsan's Aselflir-500 sensor and Tolun-guided missile, and Rokestan's SOM cruise missile, MAM-L laser-guided bomb, and a Çakır cruise missile.

Burkina Faso

In April 2024, photographs appeared online showing two Baykar Akinci drones being inspected by interim leader Ibrahim Traore. This confirmed that Burkina Faso had acquired the drone alongside the Bayraktar TB2s it acquired in 2022.

Ethiopia

On 15 November 2023, Savunma SanayiST reported that Ethiopia had acquired the Akinci drone from Baykar. Two months later, on 16 January 2024, the state-owned Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) reported on the arrival of an undisclosed quantity of Akinci UAVs alongside an undisclosed number of Su-30 crewed fighters. Shephard estimates that three units have been acquired and delivered due to the system's cost and the Ethiopian economy's size.

Kyrgyzstan

In October 2022, the Kyrgyzstan National Security Committee Chairperson, Kamchybek Tashiev, stated that his country had acquired the Akninci. This purchase was confirmed by the Central Asian country’s Presidential Press Service head, Daiyrbek Orunbekov, in January 2023. Shephard estimates three units were acquired.

On 28 October 2023, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov took part in a delivery ceremony for the Akinci and Aksungur, both drones destined for use by the country's border service. Regarding the Akinci, Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar was awarded the Order of Glory, the State Award of the Kyrgyz Republic, at the event.

Libya

In July 2024, the Akinci was seen in Libya's inventory. This sighting confirmed that the drone had been acquired in October 2022, when various media outlets reported on a Libyian Baykar contract due to various meetings between Abdulhamid Dbeibah, the Interim Prime Minister of Libya, and Baykar personnel. Shephard estimates three units were acquired. However, in January 2025, an Akinci adorned with Libynian Air Force markings crashed whilst operating near Agilata.

Indonesia

In the summer of 2024, plans emerged that the Indonesian Navy wished to launch a procurement programme for the Anka-S or the Akinci from Baykar. In February 2025, Baykar signed a joint venture agreement with Republikorp to establish the coproduction, assembly and maintenance of a reported nine Akinci UCAVs, which the Indonesian Armed Forces would utilise. The co-production deal also included the Bayraktar TB3, the procurement of which is covered in a separate entry on Defence Insight.

Morocco

In August 2023, Moroccan news outlets reported that the country had begun talks with Baykar about acquiring the Akinci MALE UAV through a procurement programme. These talks must have been successful, as, in February 2025, it was reported that an Akinci was delivered to the Moroccon Air Force.

Pakistan

Following an agreement fostering closer relations between Turkey and Pakistan in January 2022, a Baykar Aknici HALE UAV was featured in a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) video released on 11 March 2022. The UAV's presence in the footage strongly suggests Pakistan is one of the two undisclosed export customers Haluk Bayraktar announced on 2 March 2022. Shephard estimates the contract is for six units and is worth $180 million, with deliveries forecasted to be conducted between 2023 and 2025.

Poland

The Polish Armament Agency began 2022 by stating that the Zefir programme was one of its top priorities for the year, and a procurement procedure was expected to be launched at some point in that year.  The most recent instance occurred in April 2024, when, in an interview with Defence News, a spokesperson for the National MoD highlighted Poland's commitment to drones and reaffirmed its commitment to the Zefir effort. As Shephard reported, offers for the resurgent programme will likely come from Turkey, with Akinci a possibility. 

Saudi Arabia

In July 2023, Saudi Arabia signed a contract with Baykar to acquire the Akninci UAV. Haluk Bayraktar said the deal is one of the largest defence deals in Türkiye's history. It also reportedly contained technology transfer and a level of domestic production. Based on various factors, Shephard estimates Saudi Arabia has acquired 96 Akinci units.

Türkiye

The Akinci officially entered the Turkish inventory during a ceremony on 29 August 2021, attended by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Turkish President. Four aircraft were handed over to the Turkish Armed Forces; the President signed one. According to SavunmaSanayiST, another two drones were delivered in December 2021, completing the first batch. 

SavunmaSanayiST reported that Baykar completed deliveries of three Akinci-B drones to the Air Forces Command in July 2022. These three units presumably make up the second batch. A few months later, on 24 August 2022, Selçuk Bayraktar stated that 12 Akincis were on active duty with the Turkish Armed Forces. SavunmaSanayiST confirmed this inventory total and delivery of the third batch of three drones; the outlet reported that another three units had been delivered in August 2022, a month after the previous batch.

On 7 March 2024, the Turkish Defence Ministry released its annual report detailing its 2023 activities and future procurement goals. One highlighted procurement programme was a fourth Akinci procurement batch. The drones in this batch would be fitted with an extended payload, improved sensors, and the ability to operate beyond line-of-site via SATCOM. Based on the size of the preceding three batches, Shephard believes it is most likely that this fourth batch also contained three Akinci drones.

Notably, the drone was utilised by Türkiye, upon Iran's request, to help locate the helicopter that crashed in May 2024, carrying the then-Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi.

Qatar

According to April 2021 reports that quote a well-informed Turkish source, Turkey and Qatar have discussed the possibility of the latter procuring several units to aid in the platform's development. Neither Turkey nor Qatar has confirmed this. 

UAE

Baykar, in a statement of its 2024 achievements, stated that it had delivered two Akinci UAVs to the UAE, one in January and one in December. This was the first indication that a procurement programme had occurred.

Ukraine

Between January and March 2022, Haluk Bayrakatar announced that Baykar had signed two export contracts for the Akinci. There was a strong belief that Ukraine was one of these countries, and various pieces of evidence supported this; these are detailed in the programme entry regarding this procurement. However, despite these, Ukraine did not acquire the platform, with the above-mentioned expert contracts revealed to be Pakistan and Azerbaijan.