Istanbul: Turkish defense company Baykar has achieved a significant milestone by signing its first export agreement for the Bayraktar KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft with Indonesia. The deal was finalized during the SAHA 2026 International Defense and Aerospace Exhibition held at the Istanbul Expo Center.
According to Anadolu Agency, the exhibition, organized by SAHA Istanbul, witnessed numerous agreements between Trkiye's Defense Industries Secretariat and various defense companies. Anadolu is serving as the global communications partner for the event. During the signing ceremony, SAHA Istanbul Chairman and Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar emphasized the historic nature of the agreement for both Baykar and Trkiye's defense industry. He highlighted that the Bayraktar TB2 has become the most exported unmanned aerial vehicle system in its category globally, and Baykar is making strides in unmanned fighter jet technology with the Bayraktar KIZILELMA.
Bayraktar noted that the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, one of the pioneering unmanned fighter jet technologies, made its inaugural flight in 2022 and has been undergoing intensive flight activities since then. Serial production activities were completed last year, and Baykar aims to deploy the KIZILELMA for Trkiye this year. The agreement with Indonesia marks the Bayraktar KIZILELMA as the third Baykar platform included in defense cooperation with the country, following agreements for the Bayraktar AKINCI and the Bayraktar TB2 last year.
Norman Joesoef, chairman of Republikorp Group, expressed enthusiasm for the agreement and anticipates continued collaboration between the two countries.
In a separate development at SAHA 2026, Turkish defense electronics company Aselsan signed two contracts with Indonesian authorities. These agreements involve the use of Aselsan technologies by Indonesia's military, including unmanned naval vehicle payloads for the Indonesian Navy and mission-critical communication systems for the Indonesian Armed Forces. The contracts were signed by ASELSAN Deputy General Manager Ozgur Taylan Sari and PT Republic Director Ivandry Febriando Sitepo, with Aselsan CEO Ahmet Akyol in attendance. Under these agreements, Aselsan's domestically developed systems will be supplied to Indonesia.