Turkey's Bayraktar Kizilelma Drone Aces First BVR Missile Test

Turkey’s Bayraktar Kizilelma unmanned combat aircraft has achieved a historic milestone, successfully conducting the first beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile test against a jet-powered target. The November 29 trial over the Black Sea demonstrated the integration of indigenous Turkish systems including AESA radar and the Gökdoğan missile. This advancement positions the Kizilelma as a game-changer in unmanned warfare, expanding drone capabilities beyond strike missions to include aerial engagement. The achievement coincides with growing European investment in autonomous combat systems, with Baykar recently partnering with Leonardo to develop European-certified unmanned platforms.