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Baykar plans production of new air combat drone Kizilelma next year

"It is designed to be a highly autonomous, under human purview of course, air-to-air combat vehicle. In a sense, the Kizilelma expresses a whole new future for combat aviation," Baykar chairman Selçuk Bayraktar stressed in his comments.

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Baykar plans production of new air combat drone Kizilelma next year

"It is designed to be a highly autonomous, under human purview of course, air-to-air combat vehicle" said Bayraktar, who led the design of the 15-meter-long jet-powered UCAV.

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Baykar plans production of new air combat drone Kizilelma next year

"In a sense, the Kizilelma expresses a whole new future for combat aviation."

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Baykar plans production of new air combat drone Kizilelma next year

Baykar plans to begin production in small quantities next year. Kizilelma made its first flight in December and began formation flight tests with Baykar's other drones this month.

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Baykar plans production of new air combat drone Kizilelma next year

The craft is ready to begin test flights alongside piloted jets. Deployment on Türkiye's amphibious ship is scheduled for next year.

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Baykar plans production of new air combat drone Kizilelma next year

There is already demand from abroad for the new drone, though its specialised capabilities mean it can be sent to less export markets.

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Baykar plans production of new air combat drone Kizilelma next year

Bayraktar spoke on the sidelines of an aerospace and technology festival organised by his own foundation.

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Baykar plans production of new air combat drone Kizilelma next year

High-profile military projects have figured prominently in Erdoğan's election campaign and Bayraktar said he sees the drone as the culmination of a national aspiration and a product "where we tell the world that our country is not only a player but also a game maker."