Türkiye’s Baykar to Unveil K2 Kamikaze UAV and ‘Sivrisinek’ Loitering Munition at SAHA 2026
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Defense Technology
Turkish defense giant Baykar is set to unveil two new advanced unmanned systems — the K2 kamikaze UAV and the Sivrisinek (Mosquito) loitering munition — at the SAHA 2026 defense exhibition in Istanbul next month. The systems, which recently completed a live-fire demonstration at Baykar’s Keşan Flight Training and Test Center, represent a significant leap in autonomous swarm technology, artificial intelligence-driven targeting, and electronic warfare resilience .
According to a company statement, the platforms will make their public debut at SAHA 2026, held at the Istanbul Expo Center from May 5 to May 9, 2026 .
Autonomous Swarm Flight and ‘Turan’ Formation
The live demonstration on April 17, 2026, showcased the coordinated capabilities of the new platforms operating alongside Baykar’s existing UAV fleet. The exercise began with five K2 kamikaze UAVs executing sequential takeoffs within five minutes .
Once airborne, the platforms flew in multiple combat formations, including right echelon, line, V-formation, and notably, the “Turan” formation — a tactical arrangement named after the historical Turan concept, reflecting Turkish defense industry ambitions of creating an independent and powerful military force .
Ten Sivrisinek loitering munitions then joined the exercise, forming a swarm beneath the K2s. Bayraktar TB2, TB3, and AKINCI UCAVs accompanied the swarm flight, capturing aerial footage of the operation .
AI-Powered Visual Navigation in GPS-Denied Environments
Perhaps the most significant technical achievement demonstrated during the tests was the systems’ ability to operate autonomously in environments where GPS signals are jammed or unavailable — a critical capability for modern electronic warfare.
The K2 and Sivrisinek platforms utilize AI-supported visual navigation software that allows them to determine position and navigate without relying on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). This capability is essential in scenarios where adversaries employ electronic warfare to disrupt GPS signals .
In addition to navigation, the platforms demonstrated AI-powered automatic target detection and engagement capabilities, processing visual data to identify and strike targets without human intervention . This represents a major step toward fully autonomous “fire-and-forget” loitering munitions that can operate in contested electromagnetic environments.
The demonstration also included a simulated attack run, with a Sivrisinek swarm diving on designated coordinates and a K2 performing a high-speed “dry pass” (simulated attack without live warhead) .
Sivrisinek: Long-Range Loitering Munition
The Sivrisinek (Mosquito) loitering munition is a new-generation platform developed by Baykar with standout specifications: a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers (over 620 miles) . This places Sivrisinek in the long-range strike category, giving it the ability to engage deep strategic targets far behind enemy lines.
According to Baykar’s technical disclosures, Sivrisinek platforms can maintain continuous communication within the swarm using AI support, sharing detected targets instantly among themselves. This real-time data-sharing enables coordinated, multi-angle attacks on multiple targets simultaneously .
The system is specifically designed for strategic missions requiring high autonomy, reducing the need for continuous operator control during deep penetration strikes.
K2 Kamikaze UAV
The K2 is Baykar’s new-generation kamikaze (one-way attack) UAV. During the April 17 demonstration, five K2s operated in coordinated swarm formations alongside the Sivrisinek munitions . Like the Sivrisinek, the K2 features autonomous target detection and engagement, as well as the ability to navigate and strike in GPS-denied environments.
While Baykar has not released full technical specifications, the K2 is designed for high-speed terminal attack, with the demonstration including a high-dive simulation on specified coordinates .
Integration with Baykar’s UAV Family
The demonstration highlighted how the new systems integrate with Baykar’s existing UAV platforms. TB2, TB3, and AKINCI UCAVs served as “motherships” or command platforms, monitoring the swarm flight and likely providing operational command and control .
This layered approach suggests Baykar envisions the K2 and Sivrisinek as force multipliers that can be deployed in large numbers alongside conventional UCAVs, overwhelming enemy air defenses through coordinated swarm tactics.
The exercise concluded with all 18 aircraft — 5 K2s, 10 Sivrisineks, 1 TB2, 1 TB3, and 1 AKINCI — forming a V-formation salute to the observing delegation .
Global Context
The unveiling of the K2 and Sivrisinek comes as loitering munitions have proven their battlefield effectiveness in conflicts around the world, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the ongoing Middle East crisis. The ability to field autonomous, GPS-independent drone swarms represents a growing priority for modern militaries, as electronic warfare has increasingly disrupted traditional drone operations.
Baykar’s decision to develop GNSS-independent navigation and AI-targeting reflects lessons learned from real-world combat, where GPS jamming and spoofing have become routine counter-drone tactics. The K2 and Sivrisinek’s ability to operate in such environments could give them a significant advantage over systems reliant on satellite navigation.
Platforms with ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometers — such as the Sivrisinek — also enter a new category of loitering munition that blurs the line between tactical drone and cruise missile. While Baykar markets these systems for defense, their range and autonomy raise strategic questions about export controls and regional stability.
Baykar, which has already exported TB2 drones to over 35 countries, is likely to pursue international customers for the K2 and Sivrisinek as well, further expanding Türkiye’s footprint in the global drone market .
SAHA 2026 Exhibition Details
- Event: SAHA 2026 International Defense, Aerospace, and Space Industry Exhibition
- Dates: May 5-9, 2026
- Location: Istanbul Expo Center, Istanbul, Türkiye
- Baykar Exhibit: K2 Kamikaze UAV and Sivrisinek loitering munition (public debut)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the K2 and Sivrisinek?
The K2 is a kamikaze (one-way attack) UAV, and the Sivrisinek is a loitering munition. Both are new-generation systems developed by Turkish defense company Baykar featuring autonomous swarm flight, AI-powered targeting, and GNSS-independent navigation .
2. When and where will these systems be unveiled?
Both platforms will make their public debut at the SAHA 2026 defense exhibition, held at the Istanbul Expo Center from May 5 to May 9, 2026 .
3. What is the range of the Sivrisinek loitering munition?
According to multiple reports, the Sivrisinek has a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers (over 620 miles), placing it in the long-range strategic strike category .
4. Can these drones operate without GPS?
Yes. Both the K2 and Sivrisinek use AI-supported visual navigation software that allows them to determine position and navigate without relying on GPS or other satellite navigation systems — a critical capability in electronic warfare environments .
5. How many drones participated in the demonstration?
The April 17 demonstration included 18 unmanned aircraft: 5 K2s, 10 Sivrisineks, 1 Bayraktar TB2, 1 TB3, and 1 AKINCI UCAV .
6. When did Baykar conduct the live demonstration?
The live demonstration took place at Baykar’s Keşan Flight Training and Test Center on April 17, 2026 .
7. What formations did the drones fly in?
The drones demonstrated multiple tactical formations, including right echelon, line, “V” formation, and a unique “Turan” formation .
Stay informed with Reflecto News – Your trusted source for breaking defense technology and geopolitical intelligence. Subscribe for real-time updates on the SAHA 2026 exhibition, Turkish defense developments, and global security.