Ukrainian-Turkish enterprise to work on Akıncı strike drone development

Source: Xinhua| 2019-08-20 20:56:04|Editor: ZX
Video PlayerClose

KIEV, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- A joint venture of the Ukrainian state-owned Ukrspetsexport company and the Turkish leading drone maker Baykar Makina will start working on a new-generation unmanned aerial armed drone Akıncı, the Ukrainian side said in a message on Tuesday.

"The latest example of the unmanned armed vehicles Akıncı is being developed according to the requirements of armed conflicts of the 21st century and is intended primarily for arming both Turkish and Ukrainian armed forces," the message reads.

Initially, the drone was developed by the Turkish side. In May, the Turkish company's representatives announced that the 5.5-ton drone is scheduled to make its first flight in three to four months.

After Ukrspecexport and Baykar Makina established a joint venture on Aug. 9, the Turkish side announced that they hope to hit the production line in 2020 after completing test flights this year.

Akıncı will be equipped with two Ukrainian-made engines that provide flight at an altitude of more than 12 kilometers.

The drone with a wingspan of 20 meters is capable of lifting more than 1,000 kg of weapons into the air and being in flight for a day. It will also have the most advanced surveillance systems.

Akıncı's weapons range includes guided missiles and various conventional and high-precision bombs. Such armament allows the drone to destroy enemy manpower and equipment, as well as to strike important enemy targets.

TOP STORIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
MOST VIEWED
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011100001383240161