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- October 12, 202619°
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Gendarmerie AKINCI drones stand watch over Türkiye at 40,000 feet
Bayraktar AKINCI combat drones in the Turkish Gendarmerie’s inventory fly for up to 24 hours at 40,000 feet on reconnaissance, surveillance and counter-terrorism missions from Edirne to Iğdır.
Bayraktar AKINCI combat drones in the inventory of the Turkish Gendarmerie’s Aviation Department are standing watch in the skies. Three AKINCIs stationed at the Elazığ Gendarmerie UAV Group Command can stay airborne for up to 24 hours at 40,000 feet, flying missions across the country from Edirne to Iğdır and from Sinop to Hatay.
Developed by Baykar, the AKINCI made its first test flight on Dec. 6, 2019, and its first firing test on April 22, 2021, and joined the Gendarmerie inventory on July 4, 2025. Launched with ground support from a specially trained crew, the drone’s AI-based system offers advanced flight, detection and munition release functions.
"Took us to a new level strategically"
UAV pilot Maj. Ergin Sarıçiçek of the Elazığ Gendarmerie UAV Group Command said the AKINCI has an AI-assisted triple-redundant autopilot. "Thanks to satellite communication systems, we can carry out reconnaissance, surveillance and operational missions wherever a task is requested across our country’s airspace," he said.
Its advanced electro-optical cameras produce clear imagery and intelligence day and night and in harsh weather, which Sarıçiçek called an important force multiplier in counter-terrorism.
1,500-kilogram payload
Sarıçiçek said the AKINCI supports counter-terrorism, border security, anti-smuggling, disaster management and search-and-rescue efforts, and can carry munitions made by TÜBİTAK SAGE, ROKETSAN and ASELSAN, including MAM-L, MAM-C, MAM-T, Teber-82, KGK-82, LGK-82, Gözde, Tolun and İHA-230. "What sets the AKINCI apart from other drones is its munition-carrying capacity. It has a payload capacity of 1,500 kilograms," he said.
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