Baykar’s KEMANKEŞ 1, an AI-powered mini cruise missile, achieves precision strike success during tests, marking a significant milestone in Turkiye’s defense technology advancements.
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| Baykar’s KEMANKEŞ 1 missile, launched from Bayraktar AKINCI UAV, successfully completes precision strike tests, further advancing Turkiye's defense tech capabilities. Image Courtesy: AA/ DS |
Istanbul, Turkiye — July 7, 2025:
Baykar, Turkiye’s leading defense technology company, has successfully completed a critical round of tests for its domestically developed KEMANKEŞ 1, an AI-powered mini cruise missile designed for high-precision strategic strikes against ground targets.
According to a statement from Baykar released on Friday, the KEMANKEŞ 1 missile, launched from the Bayraktar AKINCI unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), struck its designated ground targets with impeccable precision during tests conducted this week. This test follows a previous successful trial in which the missile hit an aerial target under demanding conditions, further demonstrating the missile's reliability.
The test flight, coordinated with flight training and test centers in Çorlu and Keşan, saw the Bayraktar AKINCI UAV equipped with two KEMANKEŞ 1 missiles. The exercise focused on testing the missile’s cruise, dive, and strike capabilities. With Baykar’s AI-assisted targeting system, the KEMANKEŞ 1 was able to autonomously identify and eliminate its target with exceptional accuracy. The strike was documented from the air by a Bayraktar TB2 drone, providing real-time visuals of the missile’s precision.
First revealed to the public during Teknofest 2023, KEMANKEŞ 1 draws its name from legendary Turkish archers, famed for their remarkable accuracy even under harsh conditions. The missile is compatible with Baykar’s fleet of UAVs, including the Bayraktar AKINCI, TB2, and the upcoming TB3. Powered by a jet engine, KEMANKEŞ 1 is capable of flying for over 30 minutes, striking targets up to 200 kilometers (120 miles) away, even behind enemy lines.
Equipped with an AI-supported optical guidance system, KEMANKEŞ 1 can autonomously identify and engage targets in all weather conditions. The missile features an AI-powered autopilot, ensuring high-precision autonomous missions against strategic targets, while anti-jamming technology enables its operation in electronic warfare environments. It maintains continuous line-of-sight communication with its host UAV, transmitting real-time data to ground control for in-depth tracking and analysis.
Baykar has funded all its projects through internal resources since its establishment, cementing its position as one of Turkiye's most innovative and successful defense technology companies. In 2023, the company achieved a remarkable $1.8 billion in exports, ranking among Turkiye’s top 10 exporters across all industries.
Continuing its global success in 2024, Baykar reached $1.8 billion in exports once again, with 90% of its revenue derived from international sales. As the world’s largest exporter of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Baykar has remained at the forefront of Turkiye’s defense and aerospace industry. Since 2021, the company has led Turkiye's defense exports, accounting for a third of the nation’s total defense exports in 2023 and a quarter in 2024.
Baykar has also signed export agreements for its Bayraktar TB2 UAV with 35 countries and the Bayraktar AKINCI with 15 countries, strengthening Turkiye’s role as a global leader in UAV technology and positioning the country for future growth in defense exports.