New toy in the Turkish arsenal: The K2 kamikaze drone

The system’s range exceeds 2000 kilometres, enabling it to carry out long-range missions. It is equipped to operate in swarms thanks to the AI-powered autonomous swarm flight. Navigation, targeting, and engagement are also fully automated and AI-powered.

BAYKAR Tech has conducted test flights of 5 units. They took off from Keşan Flight Training and Test Centre and successfully performed “right echelon,” “line,” and “V” formation flights during multi-sortie tests conducted over the Gulf of Saros. “The K2 platforms used their artificial intelligence, sensors, and software to determine their position relative to other aircraft in the swarm, maintaining their place within the formation without error and successfully completing all assigned tasks,” BAYKAR reported.

The systems are supposed to be extremely cost-effective. They are to be mass-produced at relatively low cost, minimising the use of expensive munitions. Not only that, “the R&D process envisions bringing to life versions of the platform that can return to base after releasing their munitions on target, offering the possibility of reuse.”

BAYKAR claims that K2 is capable of operating in an electronic warfare environment in which global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) are subject to jamming. It does so via “visually scanning terrain features through its gimbal camera and the night-vision-capable camera system on the underside of the fuselage,” which makes it possible for the platform to estimate its own position.

K2 is the largest kamikaze UAV in its class. It has a maximum take-off weight of 800 kg and is able to carry a 200 kg warhead. As mentioned before, its range exceeds 2000 kilometres. The maximum speed of the platform exceeds 200 km/h, with a maximum working time of more than 13 hours.

BAYKAR remains the leader in the global UCAV market. It has been the largest exporter in the unmanned aerial vehicle sector in 2025. In recent years, 90% of the company’s revenues came from exports.