Bayraktar Akinci combat drone

Saudi Arabian state-run defense company SAMI announced 07 August 2023 that it signed a strategic agreement with Turkish drone-maker Baykar to localize the manufacturing of Bayraktar Akinci combat drones. "Under the patronage of Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense, we are pleased to announce the signing of a strategic localization agreement with @BaykarTech, to localize the manufacturing of the "Bayraktar Akıncı" UAVs and their systems within the Kingdom. This agreement will enhance #SAMI's role in supporting the national defense industry and strengthening our local capabilities," the defense company said on X (formerly known as Twitter).

The company added that "the strategic localization agreement is a continuation of the acquisition contracts signed by @modgovksa [the Saudi Defense Ministry] with @BaykarTech, aiming to enhance the readiness of the armed forces and bolster the Kingdom's defense and manufacturing capabilities, in line with #SaudiVision2030."

Akinci can carry various payloads and it is equipped with dual artificial intelligence avionics. It is able to conduct operations that are performed with fighter jets, carrying electronic support systems, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar and synthetic aperture radar. It can be used in air-to-ground and air-to-air attack missions as well.

Baykar signed a cooperation agreement and acquisition contracts with the Saudi Arabian Defense Ministry during the visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the country in July 2023. Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar then said that the contract worth between $5 billion and $7 billion included the export of Bayraktar Akinci drones. Up to 70% of the Bayraktar Akinci unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that will be built for the Saudi military will be locally produced, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) said.

Two separate export and cooperation agreements were signed between Türkiye and Saudi Arabia. Following the deal, Saudi Arabian Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman made a statement on his social media account. He wrote, “With the support of HRH, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, I signed today a defence cooperation plan with HE Yasar Güler, the Turkish National Defence Minister, in line with our two friendly countries’ military and defence cooperation efforts. Additionally, two acquisition contracts were signed between the Saudi Defence Ministry and Baykar, under which the Saudi Defence Ministry will acquire drones to enhance the readiness of the Kingdom’s armed forces and bolster its defence and manufacturing capabilities.” Minister Khalid did not provide detailed information about the agreement.

Baykar later distributed a press release and stated that an Akinci UCAV export and cooperation agreement was signed. Baykar said, “The Baykar General Manager Haluk Bayraktar evaluated the export contract on social media as “The biggest defence and aviation export contract in the history of the Republic of Turkiye”. Making a written statement, Haluk Bayraktar later said, “The agreement we signed will increase our capabilities in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles technology and will contribute to the development of Saudi Arabia’s high technology development capability. This cooperation aims to strengthen the ties between our countries and contribute to regional and global peace.” of the Saudi Arabian Army. Within the scope of the agreement, Baykar will also provide training, technical support and logistics services.”

According to the agreement, Akinci UCAVs will serve in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Air and Naval Forces Command inventory. With the comprehensive agreement, cooperation will be made on technology transfer and joint production to advance the two countries’ high technology development capability in the coming period.

Baykar General Manager Haluk Bayraktar evaluated the export contract on social media as “The biggest defence and aviation export contract in the history of the Republic of Turkiye”. Making a written statement, Haluk Bayraktar later said, “The agreement we signed will increase our capabilities in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles technology and will contribute to the development of Saudi Arabia’s high technology development capability. This cooperation aims to strengthen the ties between our countries and contribute to regional and global peace.”

"Turkish drone-maker Baykar has become a geopolitical actor through the lucrative Akinci strategic combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The deal will boost Türkiye's weight within the Euro-Atlantic camp. The agreement will lead to a wide range of outcomes, ranging from bolstering Riyadh's capabilities in the Iran-Saudi Arabia military balance to countering China's clout in the Middle East through arms sales. Here is why.

"Not all defense deals are created equal, because they have varying geopolitical magnitudes. The geopolitical magnitude in question does not only stem from the combat efficacy of weapon systems transactions but also the political-military conjuncture. For example, the US providing Harpoon anti-ship missiles to Taiwan to defend against the Chinese Navy’s expansionist agenda or supplying the Ukrainian Armed Forces with M-142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) against Russian aggression loom large as telling cases in respect.

"The UAV agreement signed between Baykar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia initially came into the spotlight for its defense economics dimensions. Indeed, the deal will probably mark one of the largest arms exports secured by the Turkish arms makers. The Saudi deal, however, is well beyond merely defense economics. To grasp the chief drivers behind the procurement, one should ask two questions. First, why did Saudi Arabia need the Akinci? Second, what does the Akinci sale to Saudi Arabia have to do with China's Middle East policy and its great power competition strategy?

"The Akinci drone is the very beast that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia needs, especially given its fire-power. With its large payload capacity, 45,000-feet operational altitude, advanced mission computers and weapon systems certifications, the Akinci baseline has gradually turned into a high-flying stand-off munitions carrier.

"A closer look at the weapon systems configuration would tell more about the Saudi decision. Recently, the Akinci has gained aeroballistic missile launch capabilities through the TRG-230 Kaplan missile certification. Aeroballistic missiles pose a challenge to defense systems thanks to the combination of high strike angles and speeds. Additionally, their warheads are highly destructive.

"Among the other notable weapon system configurations are the Stand-off Medium-Range Munition (SOM) cruise missile, Cakir mini-cruise missile, and Kemankes loitering munitions. (Baykar-produced UAV-certified kamikaze drone with electro-optical camera). The characteristics of cruise missiles and kamikaze drones are very different from those of aeroballistic missiles. The latter assets are designed to approach their targets at lower speeds, at much lower altitudes, and with complex maneuvers taking advantage of terrain masking. Their operational purpose is to exploit gaps in enemy radar networks and sensors. Of these systems, Kemankes is not only a strike asset but also an intelligence booster.

"Any weapon system functions in the realm of concepts of operations. In a hypothetical warfighting scenario, imagine numerous Akinci drones launching deep-strikes on valuable targets behind enemy lines using TRG-230 Kaplan aeroballistic missiles, SOM cruise missiles, Cakir mini-cruise missiles, and Kemankes loitering munitions. Each weapon system released would approach the targets with different flight characteristics, from different angles, and at different speeds. The attack would be completely robotic in nature. In such a salvo, the combination of diverse munitions and robotic platforms would be highly destructive while being casualty-aversive.

"But what kind of threat environment does Saudi Arabia face that it needs the Akinci drone? To understand the Kingdom’s defense requirements, one needs to revisit a series of incidents, including the 2019 Aramco attacks, the Houthi missile and drone salvos launched from Yemen, as well as Iran's missile and unmanned systems proliferation programs.

"Over the recent years, Iran and its proxies have turned to operational designs using loitering munitions in combination with ballistic and cruise missiles. The convergence of stand-off weapons and robotic warfare systems lead to an offense-dominant regime against known air defenses. In fact, even a small number of weapon systems breaking through traditional air defense systems can have sensational effects. Examining the political and economic consequences of the Aramco attacks would be illuminating in this respect.

"With its strategic weapon system configurations, the Akinci will play a crucial role in Riyadh's counteroffensive capabilities. Thus, Baykar's success will also provide significant advantages to Turkish missile solutions in the highly profitable Gulf market.

"China comes into the forefront in meeting Saudi Arabia’s offensive deterrent requirements. This is because Saudi Arabia's traditional arms suppliers, American arms makers, have been unable to export offensive strategic weapon systems to Riyadh due to Washington's self-exercised restrictions.

"With the Akinci sale to Saudi Arabia, Baykar has positioned Türkiye as a NATO country capable of balancing China in the unmanned aerial combat systems segment of the Gulf-Arab market, one of the world's most lucrative weapons markets.

"Also, the Akinci will in a short time become a significant player in the military balance between Iran and Saudi Arabia once Riyadh adds the armed UAV to its arsenal."