Türkiye’s Kızılelma Leads World with First Uncrewed BVR Air-to-Air Strike

Türkiye’s defence industry recorded a significant milestone as Baykar, the manufacturer of the Bayraktar Kızılelma unmanned fighter jet, confirmed that the aircraft had struck an airborne target at beyond-visual-range distance. The test, carried out near the coastal province of Sinop, marks the first time any uncrewed aircraft has demonstrated an authentic long-range interception capability.

According to a statement shared by Baykar, the aircraft detected and tracked a fast-moving jet-powered target using the Murad active electronically scanned array radar. The radar, designed by defence firm Aselsan, is the first of its kind to be integrated onto a Turkish uncrewed fighter. Once the target was confirmed, the aircraft launched a Gökdoğan air-to-air missile, developed by the national research body TÜBİTAK SAGE. The missile then struck the target with what Baykar described as precise accuracy.

The company said the achievement represented a “global first”, noting that while several nations have experimented with uncrewed aircraft for air-to-air roles, none had successfully demonstrated a verified long-range strike against a high-speed aerial target. Baykar added that the engagement marked the first time Türkiye had completed an entire air-to-air “kill chain” using entirely local technology: a national aircraft, guided by a national radar, firing a national missile.

Footage of the test, recorded by Baykar’s Akıncı unmanned aerial vehicle, showed Kızılelma flying in coordination with five F-16 fighter jets from Merzifon Air Base. The joint formation was presented as a demonstration of future combat concepts in which crewed and uncrewed aircraft operate together. Defence analysts refer to this as “manned-unmanned teaming”, an approach being explored by countries including the United States, China and Australia.

Turkish officials described the test as a strategic breakthrough. Selçuk Bayraktar, the company’s chair and chief technology officer, said in a video message that the demonstration signalled “a new era in aviation history”. He added: “For the first time, an unmanned combat aircraft has fired a radar-guided missile at an airborne target and achieved a perfect hit.”

Haluk Bayraktar, the firm’s chief executive, called the event a turning point for the country’s defence capabilities. “We completed the entire air-to-air engagement process using systems developed in Türkiye,” he said, emphasising that the milestone was the result of decades of investment in indigenous technologies.

Türkiye’s Industry and Technology Minister, Mehmet Fatih Kacır, said the strike showed that the country’s technological progress had reached a level capable of “reshaping the rules of air superiority”. Turkish Air Force commanders, along with senior officials from Aselsan and TÜBİTAK SAGE, observed the test from accompanying aircraft.

Experts say long-range air-to-air missions impose far greater demands on uncrewed platforms than traditional surveillance or ground-attack roles. Such engagements require high-powered radars capable of identifying manoeuvring targets at considerable distances, mission computers advanced enough to calculate missile launch conditions, and strong, interference-resistant data links to maintain control and guidance. Many existing uncrewed aircraft do not fly fast or high enough to support missiles designed for long-range interception.

In contrast, Kızılelma has been designed to operate closer to the performance envelope of a crewed fighter jet. Its low radar cross-section, high-powered sensors and compatibility with a range of Turkish-made munitions have made it central to Türkiye’s wider strategy of expanding autonomous air capability. Earlier trials this year included successful tests of precision-guided bombs and an instance in which the aircraft locked onto an F-16 fighter during a simulated engagement.

The latest demonstration strengthens Türkiye’s position in a field many militaries regard as central to the next generation of air power. Several countries are developing uncrewed “loyal wingman” aircraft intended to fly alongside combat jets, increasing situational awareness and reducing risk to human pilots. However, international efforts remain at prototype or experimental stages, particularly for long-range air-to-air missions.

Context Türkiye has invested heavily in its domestic drone industry over the past decade, notably through Baykar’s widely exported Bayraktar TB2. The Kızılelma program represents the country’s attempt to move from medium-altitude surveillance drones into a more advanced class of uncrewed combat aircraft. The successful air-to-air test suggests that Türkiye aims to position itself among a small group of nations developing autonomous fighter-type platforms.

Analysts say the demonstration may influence global military planning, signalling that uncrewed systems could soon undertake missions traditionally reserved for advanced fighter jets. It also underscores Türkiye’s ambition to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers by producing its own radar, sensors, missiles and aircraft platforms.