(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — After identifying a heat source that led to the discovery of the wreckage of the ill-fated Bell 212 helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the “Akinci” unmanned aerial vehicle marked its return flight to Turkey with a symbolic crescent moon and star painting, mirroring the Turkish flag, to signify its successful mission in Iran.
The crescent and star “painting” by the “Akinci” drone represented Turkey’s technological triumph in the search and rescue efforts for the helicopter, which also carried Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian and seven other victims.
The helicopter, which transported President Raisi, Foreign Minister Abdollahian, and the others, had crashed in the Jofa Mountains in East Azerbaijan, Iran, resulting in the deaths of all onboard.
According to Turkey’s Ministry of Defense, at the request of Iranian authorities through its Foreign Ministry, the “Akinci” drone and helicopters equipped with night vision were deployed in the search and rescue operations for President Raisi and his delegation.
The Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) “Akinci” drone, developed by Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar Technology, spent several hours surveying the mountainous area under adverse weather conditions at night to locate any signs of the downed helicopter.
Baykar Technology, which also developed the renowned “Bayraktar TB2” drone, is owned by Selcuk Bayraktar, son-in-law of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
During this time, the unmanned aircraft, using the callsign “AKINCI01,” became the most tracked aircraft globally at that moment, with over 3 million people following its flight from Turkey to Iran and back via flight tracking apps like Flight Radar and live streams of its operation.
Social media reports indicate that the drone spent over seven hours conducting search and rescue operations.
The “Akinci” UAV located a heat source in the mountainous area in the early hours, relaying the coordinates to Iranian search and rescue teams on the ground, which led to the discovery of the crashed helicopter carrying President Raisi, Minister Abdollahian, and other victims.
Upon discovery by the Iranian search and rescue team, the wreckage of the Bell 212 helicopter was found in flames, and it was likely that the passengers had already perished.
While global attention was focused on the tragic accident and the subsequent rescue efforts, the event also highlighted Turkey’s prowess in unmanned aerial systems, not just domestically but in the export market as well.
Turkish drone systems, especially those from Baykar Technology and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), have proven their effectiveness and have achieved significant export success, including in Malaysia which has acquired the “ANKA” MALE UAV.
The Akinci drone, capable of flying at heights up to 40,000 feet with an operational endurance of over 24 hours, made its maiden flight in 2019.
It can be equipped with various sensor and electronic systems, including electro-optic/infrared/laser designation sensors, multi-mode active electronically scanned array radar, and signal intelligence systems.
With this equipment, the Akinci excels in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. It can also carry payloads up to 1.5 tons, including bombs and guided missiles like the Mini Smart Munition MAM-L, MAM-C, CIRIT rockets, UMTAS guided missiles, Bozok, JDAM, and air-to-air missiles Gokdogan and Bozdogan, as well as stand-off missiles, SOM.
Last July, Saudi Arabia was reported to potentially spend $3 billion (RM13.5 billion) to acquire the “Akinci” MALE drones from Turkey, marking the largest defense contract in Turkish history.
The “largest defense contract in Turkish history” was signed during President Erdogan’s visit to Saudi Arabia.
Baykar Technology has exported the Bayraktar TB2 drones to 30 countries worldwide, and with the Akinci drone, it has sold its newly developed drones to the armed forces of Turkey, Pakistan, and Libya so far.
Saudi Arabia will become the fourth country to acquire the Akinci drone.
The Turkish Armed Forces have used the Akinci drone in missions targeting PKK terrorists and other terrorist groups in Syria.
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud previously stated on Twitter that the acquisition of the Turkish-made drones would enhance the readiness and weapon manufacturing capabilities of his country’s armed forces.
Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Baykar Tech, also stated on Twitter that the purchase by Saudi Arabia represents “the largest defense and aerospace contract in the history of the Republic of Turkey.”
The contract includes joint production and technology transfer. — DSA