During a landmark test flight conducted over Sinop, Bayraktar KIZILELMA demonstrated Türkiye’s rapidly advancing engineering and defense capabilities. The historic success drew the attention of military analysts worldwide and became a prominent headline across international media platforms.

Extensive Coverage in Russian and Chinese Media

Russia's TASS news agency reported, “KIZILELMA has entered aviation history as the first unmanned combat aircraft to destroy a supersonic jet target using beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles.”

RIA Novosti emphasized that most drones are designed for air-to-ground operations, adding, “According to Baykar’s press release, KIZILELMA became the first and only unmanned platform to demonstrate air-to-air combat capability.”

China’s Xinhua highlighted the engineering integration behind the success, noting that KIZILELMA’s “sensor fusion, radar capability, flight control algorithms, and indigenous missile technology all worked in harmony toward a single target.”

Strong Emphasis from Azerbaijani and Israeli Media

Azerbaijan’s State News Agency (AZERTAC) described, “Bayraktar KIZILELMA has opened a new chapter in air combat with unmanned aerial vehicles.”

The report highlighted the platform’s ability to operate jointly with manned aircraft and noted, “Baykar drones accounted for 25% of Turkey’s total defense and aerospace exports in 2024.”

Israeli journalist Amichai Stein called the test “a historic precedent in aviation,” reporting that the unmanned combat aircraft successfully struck a jet-powered airborne target using an air-to-air missile.

Israel’s Maariv newspaper headlined, “History Made in Turkish Skies: An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Conducts a Maneuver Only Imagined by Global Militaries,” underlining Turkey’s global leap. The report added that KIZILELMA’s air-to-air missile strike “opens a new chapter in the international aerial arms race.”

Hayom newspaper in Israel described the achievement as “Erdoğan’s ‘historic’ test: A new era in aviation.”

Regional Media Highlight Turkey’s Strategic Leap

Sputnik Armenia cited Baykar Board Chairman and Technology Leader Selçuk Bayraktar, noting, “Until now, no unmanned platform could fire at airborne targets. Turkey has opened a new era in aviation.”

India’s NDTV reported that the successful test “marks a new chapter in global combat aviation,” and noted Baykar’s leading position in UAV exports worldwide.

European Media Emphasizes BVR Capability

Belgium-based “European Defense Industry” highlighted that Bayraktar KIZILELMA’s test confirmed its capability against beyond-visual-range (BVR) targets. The report noted the drone locked onto an F-16 target and achieved a direct hit using the domestically produced GÖKDOĞAN air-to-air missile, calling it “a significant milestone.”

The article also mentioned Baykar’s export agreements with 37 countries, reflecting “the company’s expanding international footprint.”

Greek and Arab Media Praise the Test

Arab media outlet Alquds reported under the headline, “Turkey’s ‘KIZILELMA’ UAV Downs an F-16, Worrying Western, Russian, and Chinese Military Makers,” noting that the UAV successfully executed a simulated air strike on a Turkish Air Force F-16, marking “a key milestone elevating Turkey’s unmanned combat capabilities to a new strategic level.”

KIZILELMA: A New Era in Air-to-Air Combat

Bayraktar KIZILELMA became the world’s first and only platform to prove air-to-air combat capability, opening a new chapter in aviation history.

For the historic test, five F-16 fighter jets took off from Merzifon 5th Main Jet Base and met KIZILELMA over Sinop skies. Flying in a five-aircraft formation alongside F-16s, Bayraktar KIZILELMA demonstrated manned-unmanned cooperative operations, showcasing the future of air combat. A Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV also accompanied the flight, recording the historic moments from the air.

Precise Hit with MURAD AESA Radar and GÖKDOĞAN Missile

As part of the scenario, a high-speed jet-powered target aircraft was detected and tracked by Bayraktar KIZILELMA using the MURAD AESA radar developed by ASELSAN. Once precisely designated, KIZILELMA launched the TÜBİTAK SAGE-developed GÖKDOĞAN beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile from under its wing. The missile struck the jet-powered target with pinpoint accuracy.

The Future Air Combat Concept

The historic firing test demonstrated how future air combat concepts will evolve. The game-changing impact of Bayraktar TB2 UAVs in air-to-ground missions will now extend to air-to-air operations with KIZILELMA.

With a significantly lower radar cross-section than conventional fighters and advanced sensors, KIZILELMA can detect enemy aircraft from long distances without being seen. This “see without being seen, strike without being struck” concept positions Bayraktar KIZILELMA as a platform that will secure aerial superiority in future air combat.