The Turkish defence and aviation industry has signed a strategic export move that will go down in global aviation history. Baykar, Türkiye's leading company in unmanned systems, has officially signed the first export contract for the Bayraktar KIZILELMA Unmanned Combat Aircraft with Indonesia. Within the scope of the Framework Agreement signed with the Indonesian company PT Republik Aero Dirgantara, the Southeast Asian country will initially procure 12 KIZILELMAs. The volume of this major project, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028, could potentially reach up to 48 aircraft in the future.
Stealth and Short Runway Advantage
Unmanned combat aircraft (MIUS) operate at near-sonic or supersonic speeds with jet engines, unlike traditional UCAVs. KIZILELMA can conduct deep strike operations without being detected by enemy radars thanks to its low radar cross-section (stealth) airframe design and internal weapons bays. With the AESA radar it will carry, the aircraft can not only attack ground targets but also engage in air-to-air combat.
Behind Indonesia's choice of this platform lies a very clear geographical and strategic necessity. The Southeast Asian country, consisting of tens of thousands of islands, has to protect a vast and fragmented airspace. KIZILELMA completely eliminates this geographical disadvantage of Indonesia with its ability to take off and land from short-runway ships and island bases with limited infrastructure. Its high manoeuvrability and smart munition integration offer the Indonesian military asymmetric flexibility to react instantly in potential regional crises.
Deepening Trust in the Asia-Pacific
Defence industry cooperation between Türkiye and Indonesia is not new. In previous years, the KAPLAN MT (Harimau) medium tank project developed by FNSS, MİLGEM İstif-class frigate exports, and National Combat Aircraft KAAN sales agreements have solidified the technology transfer and military trust between the two countries. Furthermore, Baykar and Indonesia had previously signed a contract for the procurement of 60 TB3 and 9 AKINCI UCAVs. However, the KIZILELMA export deepens this cooperation, taking it to the cutting edge of aviation.
It is a rare occurrence in the defence sector for a military platform to find an international buyer before entering its own military's inventory in large numbers. This contract is a direct result of the immense trust (combat-proven history) Baykar has built in the global market. The proven combat successes of the Bayraktar TB2 and AKINCI platforms open the export doors for KIZILELMA wide open, even while its test flights are ongoing.
Potential for a Massive 48-Aircraft Fleet
The start of deliveries in 2028 also clarifies Baykar's production line planning and the timeline for the platform to reach final operational maturity. The initial establishment of a 12-aircraft fleet will create a significant shift in the military balance of Southeast Asia.
The contract's potential to expand to 48 aircraft is the most striking aspect of the deal. Forty-eight unmanned combat aircraft represent multiple fully-fledged combat squadrons by today's standards. This indicates that Indonesia is preparing to base its future air force doctrine entirely on unmanned autonomous systems.
