Akıncı UCAV’s Crucial Role
Turkey’s Bayraktar Akıncı unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) played a vital role in locating the crash site of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s helicopter. Footage obtained by the Akıncı drone during its surveillance mission was eagerly followed by millions worldwide, as they awaited news from the crash site. Major news organizations, including CNN, the Associated Press (AP), CBC News, and Bloomberg, reported on the Akıncı’s successful discovery of the wreckage.
International Praise for Turkish Efforts
European media highlighted the Turkish drone’s significant contribution. Italy’s Corriere Della Sera praised the “Turkish aid” that “revealed the limits of the Iranian regime’s capabilities.” The newspaper noted that the Akıncı, named after Ottoman raiders, flew over seven hours from a base in Batman province in search of the helicopter. Greek outlet EPT News shared Akıncı video footage, while Dutch broadcaster NOS and British media, including The Guardian, Sky News, BBC, and The Telegraph, covered the drone’s role in locating Raisi’s helicopter.
Showcasing Turkish Aerospace Prowess
Asian media outlets such as China’s Xinhua, CGTN, Japan’s NHK, and South Korea’s KBS reported on the Akıncı’s involvement. These reports emphasized how Iran had to rely on Turkish assistance to find its own president and officials in a mountainous region, despite its advanced ballistic missile and nuclear programs.
Cutting-Edge Drone Capabilities
The Akıncı UCAV conducted 7.5 hours of search operations, scanning challenging terrain while covering 2,100 km despite poor weather conditions. A high-altitude long endurance (HALE) drone added to the Turkish arsenal in 2021, Akıncı boasts two turboprop engines, a maximum takeoff weight of 5,500 kg, and a payload capacity of 1,350 kg. As one of only three countries producing this class of drone, Turkey’s Akıncı can engage in air-to-air combat, fly for 24 hours at an altitude of 40,000 feet, and has a 20-meter wingspan.
Highlighting Capabilities Gap
The Turkish-made drone was invaluable in swiftly pinpointing the location of Raisi’s crashed helicopter after a night of fruitless searching by Iranian teams. This success underscored Turkey’s indigenous defense capabilities while exposing gaps in Iran’s military technology, despite its nuclear ambitions. After the Akıncı found the wreckage site, rescuers recovered the bodies of Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and others who perished when their helicopter went down in poor weather in northwest Iran.
Global Coverage Boosts Akıncı’s Reputation
The widespread international coverage highlighted the Akıncı’s reputation after its crucial role in this high-stakes search and rescue operation for Iran’s leadership. The drone’s performance showcased Turkey’s aerospace engineering prowess on the global stage.
