The agreement also includes options for four additional squadrons comprising a further 48 unmanned combat aircraft. The Indonesian contract marks the first export agreement for the Bayraktar Kizilelma platform.
According to the agreement, the programme extends beyond aircraft deliveries and includes the establishment of local production, maintenance, integration and training infrastructure in Indonesia. The arrangement also links the Kizilelma programme to broader Turkish-Indonesian cooperation involving the Kaan fighter aircraft, missile systems, sensors and autonomous combat technologies.
The Bayraktar Kizilelma is equipped with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, internal weapons bays and a developing combat system designed for beyond-visual-range operations. The aircraft reflects a wider shift towards artificial intelligence-supported loyal wingman operations and concepts of distributed autonomous air combat.
The Kizilelma unmanned combat aircraft conducted its maiden flight on 14 December 2022 and remains in the testing and development phase. Baykar continues to develop the platform as part of its next-generation unmanned aviation programme.
The agreement is expected to strengthen Indonesia’s long-range deterrence capabilities and support future cooperation between manned and unmanned aircraft in the Indo-Pacific region. The programme also represents an expansion of defence industrial cooperation between Türkiye and Indonesia in advanced aerospace and autonomous systems technologies.
