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Kızılelma

Baykar low-observable carrier-capable UCAV (eight-tonne class), first exported to Indonesia in May 2026.

Indonesia signed on 5 May 2026 for 12 Kızılelma from 2028, the jet drone's first export, with a local production centre attached. Baykar says serial production has begun and aims for first Turkish Air Force deliveries in 2026; none had been reported by late October.

Last refreshed: 26 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Will Kızılelma reach Turkey's air force before Indonesia's 2028 deliveries begin?

Timeline for Kızılelma

#19 25 Oct
#19 9 Oct
#9 5 May

Signed for first export to Indonesia in 12-aircraft deal from 2028 with local production option

Drones: Industry & Defence: Baykar sells first Kızılelma to Indonesia
View full timeline →

Background

Kızılelma is Baykar's jet-powered, low-observable unmanned combat aircraft, built in Turkey and designed to operate from short-deck ships such as TCG Anadolu. It first flew on 14 December 2022, and in November 2025 Baykar said it became the first unmanned fighter to fire a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, the Gökdoğan. Its maximum take-off weight is about 8.5 tonnes.

Baykar says serial production has begun and that it aims to make the first deliveries to the Turkish Air Force in 2026; chief executive Haluk Bayraktar told Anadolu in May that flight testing continues. The first export came on 5 May 2026 at the SAHA fair in Istanbul, when Indonesia signed for 12 aircraft from 2028, with an option for four further fleets and a local production and maintenance centre. That centre gives Jakarta a route to building combat drones at home rather than relying on Turkish supply.

Kızılelma moves Baykar from the propeller drones that built its export business, the TB2 and Akinci, towards jet combat aircraft. Baykar's joint venture with Leonardo, LBA Systems, is taking a parallel step in Italy with the TB3-derived Astore Levante, unveiled at Farnborough on 22 July 2026.

Common Questions
What is the Kızılelma drone and what can it do?
Kızılelma is Baykar's jet-powered, low-observable unmanned combat aircraft, with a maximum take-off weight of about 8.5 tonnes. Baykar says it fired a Gökdoğan beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile in November 2025.Source: Baykar
Why did Indonesia buy the Kızılelma drone from Turkey?
Indonesia signed for 12 Kızılelma from 2028 with an option for four further fleets and a local production and maintenance centre, which gives it a path to building combat drones at home.Source: Baykar / SAHA 2026
How does Kızılelma compare to other fighter drones?
Kızılelma is one of a few jet-powered unmanned combat aircraft in serial production, and its Indonesian contract is among the first exports of such an aircraft. US designs such as the XQ-58 Valkyrie have not been exported.Source: Baykar / Janes
When will Indonesia receive its Kızılelma aircraft?
Deliveries are due to start in 2028 under the contract signed at SAHA 2026 on 5 May 2026.Source: Baykar
When will the Turkish Air Force get Kızılelma?
Baykar says serial production has begun and it aims to deliver the first aircraft to the Turkish Air Force in 2026. No delivery had been reported by late October 2026.Source: Anadolu Agency / Janes
Source Material

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 26 October 2026. Editorial standards.