Turkish Defense Industry Successfully Conducts Armed Drone Test

The Turkish defense industry has successfully conducted a test of an armed tactical drone amid the country’s plan to launch a serial production of unmanned aerial vehicles with firepower, US media reported on Friday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — "There is an understanding [between the industry and the government] that Turkey should gradually gear up to earn armed drone capabilities," Defense News quoted a procurement source as saying.

The armed drone Bayraktar was jointly produced by two Turkish private companies Baykar and Kale Kalip, although the firms do not yet have a contract to supply the Turkish military with tactical drones, the media outlet said.

"We are assessing [their] work," the procurement official said. "We may either sign a modification contract to arm the drones currently in our inventory or sign a separate contract to acquire armed drones in the future."

In Bayraktar’s most recent tests, the armed drone was able to reach an altitude of 18,000 feet over 24 hours, it features indigenous software and electronic systems as well as a maximum payload of 650 kilograms, the producers told Defense News.