Turkiye’s first uncrewed fighter jet, the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, has made aviation history by becoming the world’s first UAV to successfully fire a beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile at a jet-powered target aircraft.

The groundbreaking test took place off the coast of Sinop, where the KIZILELMA launched the domestically developed GOKDOGAN air-to-air missile, striking the high-speed target with precision. According to Turkish defense company Baykar, the missile was fired from under KIZILELMA’s wing after the target was detected and tracked using ASELSAN’s MURAD AESA radar.

This marked the first time in Turkish aviation history that a national aircraft, guided by a domestically developed radar, fired a locally produced air-to-air missile at an aerial target.

🗣️ 'Today, we have opened the doors to a new era in aviation history!', says Baykar Chairman and CTO Selcuk Bayraktar

💢 Turkish uncrewed fighter jet KIZILELMA becomes world’s 1st to fire air-to-air missile at jet-powered target

🔹 Bayraktar KIZILELMA hits jet-powered aircraft… pic.twitter.com/isRWXb2SVh

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) November 30, 2025

The successful engagement established KIZILELMA as the world’s only uncrewed platform with a verified air-to-air combat capability. Its low radar cross-section and advanced sensors allow it to detect enemy aircraft from long distances while remaining undetected.

KIZILELMA integrates key indigenous technologies, including the MURAD AESA radar and TOYGUN targeting system, and is capable of deploying a wide array of locally produced munitions. In previous tests, it has achieved direct hits with the TOLUN and TEBER-82 guided munitions, showcasing its dual capability in both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations.

Baykar highlights export success and future of UAV warfare

The recent test also involved five F-16 fighter jets from Merzifon Air Base, which flew in formation with KIZILELMA in a joint manned-unmanned mission, demonstrating the future of integrated air combat. A Bayraktar AKINCI UAV also participated, recording the test from the air.

Baykar, which has self-financed its UAV projects since 2003, has become a major global player in the drone industry. The company generated $1.8 billion in export revenue in both 2023 and 2024, with 90% of its income coming from exports.

Its Bayraktar TB2 UAV has been exported to 36 countries, while the more advanced Bayraktar AKINCI has been sold to 16. For the last four years, Baykar has been Turkiye’s top defense and aerospace exporter, according to official data. The success of the KIZILELMA test further cements Baykar’s role in shaping the future of aerial warfare and underlines Türkiye’s growing capabilities in indigenous defense technologies.

Turkiye signs $6.5 billion contracts to expand its 'Steel Dome' system

On a related note, on Wednesday, Turkiye signed $6.5 billion contracts to expand its 'Steel Dome' system. 

In a statement, SSB Chair Haluk Gorgun confirmed that the contracts cover combat systems and their advanced versions, which will be developed by Roketsan. The Steel Dome will rely entirely on domestically produced systems.

"In addition to the air defense, short-range and long-range air defense systems that our companies Roketsan and Aselsan have previously produced, developed, and introduced into the inventory, today," Gorgun said. "We also signed contracts related to the offensive systems previously introduced into the inventory by Roketsan and their advanced versions," Gorgun stated.