Indonesia buys Turkish combat drones with Ukrainian engines
Photo: Kızılelma interceptor drone (Screenshot)
Indonesia has become the first country in the world to officially order the latest Turkish Kızılelma unmanned fighter jets equipped with Ukrainian engines. The parties signed the official agreement during the SAHA 2026 international exhibition, which is taking place in Istanbul, according to SavunmaSanayiST and Defense Express.
Jakarta has ordered 12 strike drones at once. The agreement also includes an option to purchase four more units in the future. The deal was signed by representatives of the Turkish company Baykar and the Indonesian company PT Republik Aero Dirgantara.
The first drones are expected to arrive in Indonesia in 2028. However, the deal is not limited to imports, and the parties have already agreed on localization. Indonesia plans to establish its own production facilities. A center for the repair and maintenance of the fighter drones will also be established there.
Why Indonesia needs fighter drones
Indonesia needs the new drones for its navy. They will be part of the air wing of the aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, a ship gifted to Jakarta by Italy.
The ship previously operated with vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. In 2024, it was decommissioned from the fleet, and in the spring of 2025, it was finally transferred to Indonesia.
The ship is now being modernized specifically for unmanned aviation, and the Kızılelma is ideally suited for such missions. Türkiye is taking a similar approach with its flagship, the TCG Anadolu.
Ukrainian 'heart' of Kızılelma
Indonesia buys Turkish combat drones with Ukrainian engines pic.twitter.com/oCZRLk5Pjj
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) May 7, 2026
This contract is of particular significance for Ukraine. The production-model Kızılelma fighter drones are equipped with Ukrainian AI-322F engines, developed and manufactured by the state-owned enterprise Ivchenko-Progress.
These engines are significantly more powerful than previous models. The AI-25TLT was previously tested on prototypes, but a more efficient variant was later selected. The first drone with the new Ukrainian engine successfully took to the skies in May 2025.
Kızılelma's combat capabilities
This is not just a drone, but a fully-fledged unmanned fighter jet. It is already capable of performing autonomous group flights. The system operates without operator intervention during maneuvers.
The unmanned aircraft engages targets both on the ground and in the air.
Key capabilities include:
- Gökdoğan air-to-air missiles;
- Target engagement range of up to 100 kilometers;
- Ability to operate in electronic warfare conditions;
- High maneuverability at high speeds.
Baykar continues to push the boundaries of technology. Now, Turkish-Ukrainian developments will defend the skies and maritime borders in Southeast Asia.
Ukrainian defense industry
Ukrainian drones and Flamingo missiles successfully attacked the VNIIR-Progress plant, located about 1,000 km from the Ukrainian border. The plant manufactures components for Shahed drones, as well as Iskander-M and Kalibr missiles.
Fire Point, the manufacturer of the Flamingo cruise missile, is in the final stages of developing two supersonic ballistic missiles, the FP-7 and FP-9.
Furthermore, Ukraine plans to establish the Space Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to legalize the army’s activities at altitudes above 100 km, where air defense systems lack the authority and technical capabilities to shoot down partially orbital missiles.
