Türkiye’s Akinci Drone Shifts to Electronic Warfare Role With Aselsan’s New Pod Suite

Türkiye has begun operationalizing a new electronic warfare (EW) variant of its Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), integrating a suite of specialized pods developed by defense electronics giant Aselsan. This marks a significant doctrinal and technological evolution for the Turkish drone program, shifting from primarily kinetic strike roles to multi-domain ISR and EW missions.

Akinci Platform Evolves Beyond Strike Missions

The Bayraktar Akinci UCAV—developed by Baykar—has served as Türkiye’s flagship high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) drone since entering service in 2021. With a maximum takeoff weight of 6,000 kg and payload capacity exceeding 1,500 kg, the twin-engine platform was initially designed for precision strike missions using munitions such as the MAM-L and SOM cruise missile.

However, recent developments indicate a doctrinal shift toward multi-role functionality. In October 2025, Turkish defense sources revealed that an Akinci airframe has been outfitted with multiple external pods designed by Aselsan for signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic attack (EA), and radar-based situational awareness.

Aselsan’s Modular EW Pod Suite

The new configuration includes at least three distinct pod types under development or testing:

• SIGINT/ELINT Pod: Capable of intercepting and geolocating enemy communications and radar emissions across multiple bands. Likely integrates direction-finding antennas and onboard processing for real-time emitter mapping.
• GNSS Jamming Pod: Designed to disrupt satellite navigation systems such as GPS and GLONASS over localized areas—especially relevant for counter-UAV or anti-precision-guided munition operations.
• AESA Radar Pod: Believed to be an airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) or ground moving target indicator (GMTI) system derived from Aselsan’s MURAD family. Enables wide-area surveillance in all weather conditions.

This modular approach allows mission-tailored loadouts depending on operational requirements—ranging from battlefield suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) to strategic intelligence collection over contested zones.

Operational Implications for Regional Power Projection

The integration of EW capabilities onto the Akinci platform significantly expands Türkiye’s ability to conduct non-kinetic operations in contested environments. The UAV can now serve roles traditionally reserved for manned ISR aircraft such as the RC-135 Rivet Joint or EA-18G Growler—albeit at lower cost and risk.

This development aligns with Ankara’s broader strategy of achieving indigenous capabilities across the full spectrum of modern warfare domains. With regional tensions simmering in the Eastern Mediterranean, Syria, Iraq, and the Caucasus region, having persistent ISR/EW coverage via drones offers both tactical flexibility and strategic deterrence.

Comparison with Global Peers

The Akinci-EW variant positions Türkiye alongside countries like the United States (MQ-9 Reaper + ALR-69A(V)), China (Wing Loong II-EW), and Israel (Heron variants with ELTA SIGINT payloads). While exact specifications remain classified, open-source imagery shows prominent underwing pods consistent with known EW/SIGINT designs used globally.

Unlike most Western systems that rely on satellite relay or high-bandwidth datalinks like Link-16 or MADL for real-time data fusion—which Türkiye lacks access to due to export controls—the Akinci likely uses domestically developed SATCOM alternatives or line-of-sight Ku-band links via Turkish satellites like TÜRKSAT-5B.

Future Prospects: Swarm EW & Network-Centric Warfare

This milestone is part of a broader trend within Turkish defense circles toward network-centric warfare concepts. Baykar has previously demonstrated swarm coordination among TB2 drones using AI-based routing algorithms; equipping multiple Akincis with complementary EW payloads could enable distributed jamming or emitter triangulation at scale.

Furthermore, integration with other platforms such as KORAL land-based jammers or TCG Anadolu amphibious carrier could create joint-force effects across domains—from maritime denial operations to suppressing air defenses during cross-border incursions.