Kızılelma aces live-fire missile test over Black Sea

Türkiye's first unmanned fighter aircraft has successfully completed a live-fire test using a domestically developed supersonic missile, striking a target more than 120 kilometres away over the Black Sea in another milestone for the country's defence industry.

Baykar, a leading Turkish defence company, announced on Monday that its jet-powered Kızılelma combat drone struck a designated target with a JET-230 supersonic air-to-surface missile, marking another milestone in the development of Türkiye's first unmanned combat fighter aircraft.

According to the company, the live-fire test was carried out over the Black Sea.

The aircraft took off carrying two JET-230 supersonic missiles and successfully engaged its target from a distance of more than 120 kilometres (approximately 75 miles), demonstrating its ability to conduct long-range precision strikes using domestically produced munitions.

Following the successful test, Baykar chairman and chief technology officer Selçuk Bayraktar hailed the achievement.

"Another milestone has been achieved," he said, congratulating the technical team that oversaw the live-fire test.

Growing arsenal

This week's live-fire test expands the Kızılelma's growing arsenal of integrated weapons.

The aircraft has previously completed successful tests with the domestically developed Gökdoğan air-to-air missile, as well as the Tolun, Teber-82, KGK and LGK-82 precision-guided munitions.

The Kızılelma programme is central to Türkiye's long-standing ambition to build a self-sufficient defence industrial base and become a leading exporter of advanced military technologies.

In recent years, Ankara has stepped up investment in indigenous air, naval and missile systems to reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers.

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The policy gained fresh momentum following export restrictions and sanctions imposed on Türkiye's domestic defence sector by some Western allies.

Defence manufacturing has become a strategic pillar of Ankara's industrial policy, with domestically produced platforms - including the Kızılelma, the KAAN fighter jet and the ALTAY main battle tank - forming the backbone of this effort.

Meanwhile, Baykar has emerged as one of the world's leading manufacturers of combat drones.

Last year, the company recorded US$2.2 billion in exports, signing sales agreements with dozens of countries for its advanced unmanned aerial systems.

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Türkiye Aircraft Black Sea missile defence