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Kızılelma

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

Last refreshed: 21 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Is Kızılelma the first non-US carrier-capable combat drone to crack the export market?

Timeline for Kızılelma

#95 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
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Common Questions
What is the Kızılelma drone and what can it do?
Kızılelma is a Turkish jet-powered unmanned combat aircraft with an 8,500 kg MTOW, 1,500 kg payload, and low-observable airframe. It can operate from aircraft carriers without a catapult and became the first UCAV to autonomously fire a BVR air-to-air missile in November 2025.Source: Wikipedia, Baykar official
Why did Indonesia buy the Kızılelma drone from Turkey?
Indonesia signed for 12 Kızılelma aircraft with an option for 60 total and a local production centre, giving Jakarta a sovereign carrier-capable UCAV capability without depending on Chinese or US export systems.Source: Lowdown event analysis
How does Kızılelma compare to other fighter drones?
Kızılelma is one of the few carrier-capable jet-powered UCAVs in production anywhere; its BVR missile capability, low-observable design, and successful first export put it alongside US programmes such as the XQ-58 Valkyrie and ahead of most Chinese equivalents in the export market.Source: Grey Dynamics, Defence Security Asia

Background

Kızılelma is Baykar's jet-powered carrier-capable unmanned combat aircraft, with an 8,500 kg MTOW, 1,500 kg payload, and low-observable airframe; it first flew in December 2022 and became the first UCAV to autonomously fire a BVR air-to-air missile in November 2025.

Kızılelma signed its first export contract with Indonesia on 5 May 2026 at SAHA 2026 — 12 aircraft from 2028, with local production included. The Indonesia deal locates Turkish UCAV manufacturing in South-East Asia and directly competes with Chinese UCAV export pitches in the region.

More questions
When will Indonesia receive its Kızılelma aircraft?
Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2028 under the contract signed at SAHA 2026 on 5 May 2026. Indonesia also secured an option for four additional fleets and a local production and maintenance centre.Source: SAHA 2026 contract reporting
Source Material
Bayraktar Kızılelma Makes History: First BVR Air-to-Air Missile KillBayraktar Kızılelma - Wikipedia