Indonesia has become the first export customer for the Turkish Kızılelma unmanned fighter, signing a contract for 12 units with an option for an additional four. The agreement was concluded between Baykar and PT Republik Aero Dirgantara during SAHA Expo 2026 currently taking place in Istanbul.
Deliveries of the Kızılelma are expected to begin in 2028, according to SavunmaSanayiST. The agreement also provides for the establishment of localized production, as well as maintenance and repair facilities in Indonesia.
Read more: Turkish Kizilelma Unmanned Fighter Passes New Test, Reaches Speed of 264 kn
It is also worth recalling that in 2025, Baykar signed a separate agreement with the same Indonesian partner to establish joint production of the Bayraktar TB3 and Akıncı UAVs.
Thus, Indonesia becomes the first foreign customer for the Kızılelma, which had previously been ordered only for the Turkish Air Force and Navy. In Indonesia's case, the drones are likely to be operated by the navy and integrated into the air wing of the aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, which was transferred to Jakarta by Italy.
The transfer of the ship, decommissioned in 2024 and previously used to operate AV-8B Harrier II jets, was formally agreed on April 28. Plans for its modernization include extensive use of unmanned systems.
In Turkiye as well, Baykar's drones, including the Bayraktar TB3 and Kızılelma, are expected to become part of the air wing of the TCG Anadolu (L-400).
It should be noted that production Kızılelma drones are expected to be powered by the Ukrainian Ivchenko-Progress AI-322F engine, replacing the less powerful AI-25TLT used on the first three prototypes. The first Kızılelma PT4 equipped with the AI-322F took to the air in May 2025.
The Kızılelma has already demonstrated autonomous formation flight and continues to undergo testing with a full range of air-delivered weapons for engaging both ground and aerial targets, including Gökdoğan missiles with a claimed range of up to 100 km.
Read more: Unmanned Fighters Are Getting Closer: Kizilelma Systems with Ukrainian Engine to Reach Turkish Forces within Months
