Azerbaijan, Türkiye to co-produce SİVRİSİNEK UAV, Baykar says PHOTO

Azerbaijan and Türkiye will jointly manufacture a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) named SİVRİSİNEK, according to statements made by Haluk Bayraktar, chief executive of the Turkish defence company Baykar, at the SAHA 2026 defence, aviation and space industry exhibition in Istanbul.

Speaking at the event, Bayraktar said all UAVs showcased at the exhibition would be produced at facilities located in Azerbaijan, with SİVRİSİNEK among the key platforms to be assembled there, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

He described the system as a modern combat UAV designed primarily for strikes against ground targets, noting its growing relevance in contemporary warfare.

According to the specifications presented, the SİVRİSİNEK UAV has a range of approximately 900–1,000 km depending on configuration. It operates on a “fire-and-forget” principle and, in certain variants, is capable of engaging targets at distances ranging from around 10 km to more than 80 km.

The aircraft measures roughly 3.8 metres in length with a wingspan of 3.2 metres. It can remain airborne for over 8–9 hours and cruises at around 55 knots. The system is launched via catapult and is powered by an internal combustion engine.

It is also equipped with artificial intelligence-supported target recognition, GNSS navigation, and electro-optical control systems.

Analysts cited at the event said UAVs of this type could be used in both reconnaissance and strike roles, highlighting their flexibility and effectiveness in modern battlefield conditions.

By Aghakazim Guliyev