Akıncı UCAV added to military inventory

Another unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been added to the inventory of the Turkish security forces.

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Delivery and course completion ceremony of Bayraktar Akıncı, a long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar Makina, was held in the northwestern province of Tekirdağ on Aug. 29 with the participation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Erdoğan said Turkey has risen to the world's top three in combat drone technology.

"With our unmanned combat aerial vehicle Akıncı, Turkey has become one of the three most advanced countries in the world in this technology," he said

Erdoğan expressed hope that the Akıncı will strengthen Turkey's "sincere efforts" to establish trust, peace, and justice in both the region and the world.

Underlining that Turkey is determined to become the leading country in combat drones, Erdoğan said Turkey has to develop new technologies.

The nation's goal is to develop armed drones that can take off and land on aircraft carriers with short runways for use in missions abroad, he added.

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Erdoğan also praised Turkey's extensive use of home-sourced defense products, which in recent years leaped from 20% to about 80%.

The level Turkey has reached in unmanned aerial vehicle technology shows the success of its capabilities in the defense industry, a feat recognized by the whole world, Erdoğan said.

He added that Turkey's principle is to present every technology that it develops for the benefit of all humanity.

Stressing that all the drones produced by Turkish defense companies are in high demand worldwide, he said new export agreements were signed with more than 10 countries, including NATO member Poland.