Akinci UAVs to be assembled in Saudi Arabia
7 August, 2023 Akinci reconnaissance and strike drones. Photo from open sources Turkey and Saudi Arabia are deepening cooperation between defense industries.
It regards the production of Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicles. Turkish and Saudi defense companies have signed an agreement and two memorandums of cooperation. The Defense Industry Agency of Turkey reported on these bilateral agreements.
The Turkish company Baykar signed an agreement with the state defense company of Saudi Arabia - Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) on the localization of the production of Turkish Akinci drones.
Signing of agreements and memorandums between Turkish and Saudi defense companies. August 6, 2023. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Saudi Arabia
As previously reported, Baykar has recently signed an agreement to export an undisclosed number of Akinci UAVs for £3.1 billion to Saudi Arabia.
Production of Turkish Akinci drones . Photo credits: Baykar
The agreement was signed during the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. At the same time, Aselsan signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi National Company for Mechanical Systems (NCMS).
It provides for joint projects, including the localization of production in the field of electro-optical surveillance and targeting systems, as well as guided munitions for use in UAVs, which are exported by Baykar. Besides, Turkey's Roketsan signed a memorandum of understanding with NCMS on "smart" munitions and guidance technologies. It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia became the seventh country to purchase Turkish Akinci drones.
Turkish Akinci drone. Photo credits: Turkish media
Akinci
UAVs are equipped with AI-450 engines developed by the Ukrainian Ivchenko-Progres state design bureau from Zaporizhzhia. In the summer of 2021, the Turks flew an unmanned aerial vehicle to an altitude of 11,500 metres.
Akinci UAV with a set of weapons.
Photo from open sources
The wingspan of the Akinci UAV reaches 20 meters, and its length is 12.2 m.
The Turkish drone's weapons include guided missiles and bombs, electronic reconnaissance and combat systems.