The Moroccan army is interested in the Turkish unmanned combat aircraft Bayraktar Kizilelma
A delegation from the Moroccan Armed Forces showed interest in the fifth-generation Bayraktar Kizilelma unmanned aircraft during the ADEX 2024 trade fair in Azerbaijan.
Moroccan army officials, led by General Fouad Moumen, inspected the Ottoman aircraft. Fouad Moumen himself met with Haluk Bayraktar, director general of the Turkish aviation and defence company Baykar, a sign of contacts between Turkey and Morocco for cooperation in the military field, in particular with regard to unmanned aerial combat vehicles (UCAVs).
According to various Moroccan media, such as Rue 20, General Fouad Moumen showed great interest in the Bayraktar Kizilelma, a major technological reference in unmanned combat aircraft.
The Bayraktar Kizilelma (red apple in English) was developed by Baykar Technology and is considered to be the first domestically produced Turkish combat aircraft.
The aircraft has important technical features that make it one of the most advanced of its kind.
In terms of manoeuvrability, it stands out for its ability to perform lightning manoeuvres and air-to-air combat missions like conventional fighters.
It has great speed; it can fly at speeds of up to 900 km/h for 5 hours at an altitude of 12 kilometres.
It is notable for its security capability because it has the ability to hide from radar. In addition, it can take off with a payload that can carry 1.5 tonnes of ammunition on its body and wings.
This aircraft represents an important step in enhancing Turkish defence capabilities and extending the range of UCAVs in military operations.
The Bayraktar Kizilelma is equipped with a variety of advanced weapons, enabling it to carry out a wide range of military missions.
Some details about the armament are quite remarkable. In terms of air-to-air missiles, the aircraft can carry air-to-air guided missiles for air combat missions. In terms of air-to-ground missiles, it includes laser-guided or satellite-guided missiles to hit ground targets with high precision. In terms of guided bombs, the aircraft can carry precision-guided bombs to hit strategic targets.
In terms of electronic warfare systems, the Bayraktar Kizilelma is equipped with devices that can avoid enemy radars and communications.
Haluk Bayraktar confirmed that the Baykar company has already received requests from several countries to purchase the Turkish Kizilelma aircraft during an interview on the sidelines of SAHA Expo 2024, an exhibition dedicated to defence and aviation industries organised in Istanbul.
Haluk Bayraktar confirmed the high level of interest in the aircraft, reflecting the level of confidence of other countries in Turkish defence technology and its ability to compete in the aerospace market.
