Turkey has developed three new kamikaze drones—K2, Sivrisinek, and Mizrak—through defense manufacturer Baykar, aiming to rival Iran’s Shahed series. The drones vary in range and payload capacity, with the K2 capable of carrying 200 kilograms of explosives over 2,000 kilometers, while Sivrisinek and Mizrak offer shorter ranges and lighter payloads. The Sivrisinek, unveiled last week, can fly up to 1,000 kilometers with a 20-kilogram warhead, and Mizrak, introduced Thursday, carries 40 kilograms over a similar distance. All three drones can operate without satellite navigation and are designed for coordinated swarm attacks.

The development comes as Turkey and Israel face rising tensions and as Iran’s drone program gains prominence through its use of Shahed drones in conflicts involving the United States and Israel. Turkish experts argue that Iran’s UAVs lack advanced artificial intelligence, precision targeting, and self-defense capabilities, areas where Turkish systems reportedly excel.

Baykar plans to integrate the three drones into a unified strike system, signaling Turkey’s growing ambition in autonomous aerial warfare technology.