Indonesia and Türkiye have deepened their defense partnership through a new agreement focused on the development and future operation of the Kızılelma unmanned combat aircraft, marking a significant step in bilateral defense-industrial cooperation.
The agreement was signed during the SAHA 2026 Defense and Aerospace Exhibition in Istanbul between Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar and Indonesian defense firm Republikorp.
Under the partnership, the two companies will collaborate on operational development activities related to the Kızılelma platform, while also expanding cooperation in technology transfer, personnel training, research programs, and the establishment of localized production and maintenance capabilities.
Building on Existing UAV Cooperation
According to Republikorp, the new initiative builds upon a joint venture agreement signed in 2025 that focused on the local production of the Bayraktar TB3 and AKINCI unmanned aerial systems in Indonesia.
That earlier agreement included plans to establish a drone manufacturing facility in the country. The latest cooperation expands beyond production and aims to support the development of a broader aerospace and unmanned systems ecosystem.
The partnership reflects a growing trend in Türkiye’s defense export strategy, which increasingly combines platform sales with industrial cooperation, technology transfer, and long-term sustainment programs.
Indonesia Becomes First Export Customer
The agreement follows Indonesia’s decision to procure the Kızılelma unmanned combat aircraft, making it the first foreign customer for the platform.
According to statements released by Baykar, deliveries of 12 Kızılelma aircraft are expected to begin in 2028.
The procurement follows discussions held during the inaugural Indonesia–Türkiye Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting earlier this year, where both countries agreed to strengthen defense ties through joint capability development and industrial cooperation initiatives.
Kızılelma and Future Air Power
Kızılelma represents Baykar’s next-generation unmanned combat aircraft concept and is designed to operate with a high degree of autonomy while supporting a wide range of air combat missions.
The platform is expected to play a role in future manned-unmanned teaming operations and provide long-range reconnaissance and strike capabilities without exposing pilots to direct battlefield risks.
Indonesian defense analyst Connie Rahakundini Bakrie described the agreement as a significant contribution to Indonesia’s long-term defense self-sufficiency objectives.
She emphasized that Indonesia’s strategic location near critical maritime chokepoints—including the Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok Straits—requires enhanced air and maritime security capabilities to protect vital trade routes and national interests.
According to Bakrie, advanced unmanned systems such as Kızılelma could provide persistent maritime surveillance, domain awareness, and precision strike capabilities across large operational areas, helping Indonesia strengthen the protection of its exclusive economic zones and key sea lines of communication.
The agreement highlights the growing defense relationship between Ankara and Jakarta and reinforces Türkiye’s expanding position as a supplier of advanced unmanned combat systems to international markets.
