Baykar unveils new K2 kamikaze drone with AI, 2,000 km range

2026-03-14 - 09:02

Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar revealed a new kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on Saturday called the K2, featuring artificial intelligence-based flight and targeting systems. The K2 is capable of autonomous swarm flight and uses AI vision for navigation, targeting and engagement, representing a significant advancement in Türkiye's indigenous drone technology. Technical specifications The K2 has a range of more than 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles), carries a 200-kilogram (440-pound) warhead, and has a maximum takeoff weight of 800 kilograms. The drone can take off from short or unprepared strips and is designed to be reused for multiple deployments, combining loitering munition capabilities with operational flexibility. Baykar's expanding portfolio Baykar is one of Türkiye's leading drone manufacturers and has exported UAVs to multiple countries. Its existing platforms include the tactical Bayraktar TB2, which gained international recognition for its combat effectiveness; the high-altitude Bayraktar Akinci; the ship-capable Bayraktar TB3; and the jet-powered Bayraktar Kizilelma. The K2 adds a dedicated kamikaze capability to the company's growing family of unmanned systems. Strategic significance The unveiling comes as Türkiye continues to advance its defense industry capabilities, reducing foreign dependency and establishing itself as a major drone exporter. The K2's AI capabilities and long range reflect the technological sophistication of Turkish unmanned systems, which have demonstrated effectiveness in multiple conflict zones and attracted international customers.