Haluk Gorgun, head of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), described the development as strategically significant. “This important test is not just about munition integration, but a strategic indicator of the stage our air-ground integration capability has reached,” Gorgun stated.
He stressed the role of Aselsan’s weapon system in enhancing Türkiye’s defence capabilities. “When TOLUN’s precision strike capability combines with Kizilelma’s maneuverability, the resulting picture will shape future combat doctrines,” he noted.
Gorgun congratulated the Baykar and Aselsan teams for their achievement, calling it “just a beginning” for Türkiye’s indigenous defence industry. The TOLUN integration also signals the start of Kizilelma’s wider weapons testing programme, which will include other advanced munitions such as the Cakir cruise missile and Bozdogan air-to-air missile.
The Kizilelma UAV, designed for next-generation combat roles, features a maximum takeoff weight of 8,500 kg, a 1,500 kg payload, and speeds up to Mach 0.9. It combines high manoeuvrability, stealth characteristics, and the ability to operate from short-runway aircraft carriers, with autonomous flight and advanced sensor systems planned for integration.
