Turkey’s New Long-range Kamikaze Drone Clears Flight Tests

Turkey’s new long-range multipurpose kamikaze drone called "Azab" has cleared all flight tests.

There are two versions of the Azab - with wingspans of 2m and 1.5m.

Firing tests of the delta-winged platform, having a high payload capacity, will be carried out in the near future.

"We have done all the flight tests. We move on to ammunition tests. We will carry out ammunition tests in the coming months," Selçuk Fırat, product director at Robit Technology, told Turkey’s government-owned Anadolu Agency (AA).

The ammunition tests are expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of this year, Fırat said.

He added, "We are ready for production. We will be able to meet future orders.”

Different types of warheads can be integrated with the Azab drone.

Fırat said the 2m wingspan version of the drone can carry up to a 15kg payload.

The Azab can be deployed in various modes, such as throw-and-forget, free-roam, or with the assistance of an operator who can direct Azab toward the target using its camera from a range of 200km. The device can also directly reach and destroy the target with the GPS coordinates provided.

Firat stated that mortars, tank guns and RPG ammunition can be integrated into Azab.

Explaining that they have developed a 3m electric catapult to launch Azab T150, Fırat said that Azab T200 has a 6m catapult, and that it can be launched from a truck or container once the rocket system, which is still in progress, is completed.

Azab generates export interest

Stating that they presented Azab to the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) and received positive feedback, Fırat said, "The fact that a UAV with these features can achieve flight with the load it has, is not a point reached in Türkiye yet. It is the only one in its class in Türkiye. We also see great interest abroad. We had contact with two countries this week. It will be a good product for both our exports and our army."