Baykar is exhibiting its KIZILELMA unmanned fighter with Brazilian Air Force livery at the LAAD 2025 exhibition being held in Brazil’s capital, Rio de Janeiro.
SA Defensa reported that KIZILELMA has been put on display with Brazilian livery alongside Akıncı UCAV and Bayraktar TB2 armed UAV in LAAD 2025.
Other Turkish participants of LAAD 2025 include Armelsan, ASELSAN, ASFAT, ASPİLSAN, Ateşçi, Birant, Canik, Electroland, FNSS, HAVELSAN, Nurol Makina, Otokar, Repkon, the Secretariat of Defence Industries, Sarsılmaz, STM, TAIS, TUSAŞ, and Volt.
Potential of Baykar-Brazil Cooperation
This is not the first interaction between Baykar and Brazil. A meaningful step for Baykar to build its relations with Brazilian authorities was in July 2023, when a delegation from the Brazilian Armed Forces and Brazilian Defense Products Secretariat visited Baykar’s facilities.
Baykar could respond to various UAV-related needs of Brazil in various areas, with a recent example being armed UAVs. Recently, the Brazilian Army published an RFP for an armed UAV with an endurance of 20+ hours, freedom from ITAR, and up to four light munitions capacity. Bayraktar TB2 satisfies the technical specifications and its battle-proven status gives an upper hand in the bid.
In KIZILELMA’s case, the unmanned fighter can support the newly acquired F-39 Gripen fighter jets with low observability, high manoeuvrability, AESA radar, and the capability to fire a large variety of munitions.
Given the low possibilities of Brazil’s access to F-35A fighters or the Su-57, KIZILELMA might stand out with its low observability and layout in parallel with fifth-generation fighters.
Progress on Kızılelma
Tests for KIZILELMA have been ongoing since the maiden flight at the end of 2022. In the summer of 2024, the third prototype (PT-3) made its entry with an AI-322 series after burning the turbofan engine, sensor provisions, and many other improvements (Aerodynamics, structural, actuator concealing, change of control surface proportions...).
In 2025, the unmanned fighter used the afterburner to take off in the following tests, demonstrating capabilities for sharp turns with high bank angles that manned fighters make. Additionally, the fourth prototype (PT-4), with a similar layout to the third, appeared.
For the future of KIZILELMA on the global market, an important agreement was signed between Baykar and Leonardo for a joint venture on unmanned platforms. Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani expressed interest in fitting Kızılelma for the GCAP’s sixth-generation fighter as a loyal wingman in future.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
