Mali-based ORTM1 TV channel has published images of AKINCI UCAVs used by the Malian Air Force.
Judging from the images from the TV stream of ORTM1, Mali is using at least two AKINCI-A UCAVs. Some, if not all, of the munitions are also seen, including ROKETSAN's MAM-T smart munition and TEBER-81/82 laser/GPS guidance kits.
After Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Libya, Mali is Africa's fourth confirmed AKINCI user. The contribution of Bayraktar TB2 armed UAVs to counter-insurgency operations in Africa and AKINCI's capacity-sufficient munitions that are carried by manned combat aircraft can be given as some of the leading factors in AKINCI's entry into Africa as a cost-effective solution for both ISR and bombing operations.
AKINCI's export customers are Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Mali.
AKINCI was developed as a follow-up to the Bayraktar TB2 armed UAV with greater speed and payload capacity. Two turboprop engines power the UCAV and have an MTOW of 6+ tonnes.
So far, three configurations with different engines have been developed for AKINCI depending on needs: AKINCI-A with 450 hp, AKINCI-B with 750 hp, and AKINCI-C with 850 hp engines. An up-scaled variant is also being developed with two turboprop engines from the TEI TS1400 turboshaft engine with a power rating of 1400+ hp.
AKINCI's munition options include MAM-C/L/M smart munitions, TEBER/HGK/LGK/KGK guided GPBs, TOLUN SDB, and UAV-122/UAV-230 aeroballistics missiles. The UCAV can also be fitted with MURAD 110-A AESA radar, EW pods, SAR, or extra EO/IR gimbals.
