Indigenous and national power at sea: Successful sonobuoy deployment from Bayraktar TB3
According to a statement from Baykar, the domestically developed armed UAV, operating jointly with a maritime patrol aircraft, demonstrated a new capability for anti-submarine warfare (ASW).
- Agencies and A News / Turkey
- Published Date: 01:20 AM 23 September 2026
- Updated Date: 01:24 AM 23 September 2026
Bayraktar TB3 successfully completed two sonobuoy deployment tests during an exercise mission after taking off from TCG Anadolu, using the Sonobuoy Deployment System (SAS POD), developed domestically and indigenously by Baykar.
The Denizkurdu-I/2026 Exercise, held simultaneously from September 20–25 in the Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, and Eastern Mediterranean, involves units from the Turkish Naval, Land, and Air Forces, as well as the Coast Guard Command.
As part of the exercise scenario, Bayraktar TB3 carried out anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions, operating in coordination with a maritime patrol aircraft in the operational area.
During the flight, Bayraktar TB3 deployed two sonobuoys into the sea using the Baykar SAS POD mounted under its wing. In addition to the sonobuoys it deployed itself, the Bayraktar TB3 also processed data obtained from sonobuoys deployed by the maritime patrol aircraft, using its onboard sonobuoy processing unit.
The UAV also provided a real-time display of the underwater data collected during the exercise.
Baykar generated $2.2 billion in exports in 2025, with exports accounting for 90% of its revenues in recent years. The company has signed export agreements with 39 countries in total, including 36 countries for the Bayraktar TB2 UAV and 16 countries for the AKINCI UCAV.