KASIRGA, a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL kamikaze drone developed by Bayraktar Teknoloji Azerbaijan, the local subsidiary of Turkish defense firm Baykar, is turning heads at ADEX 2026.
Unveiled publicly for the first time, KASIRGA, is the first platform designed and engineered locally by Azerbaijani engineers under the company. The dual-purpose UAV can either act as a loitering munition and attack targets, or be used multiple times for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. A unique feature of the drone is that it is capable of returning to base even in situations when it is used as a kamikaze drone. “If you miss the target, you just have to switch off the fuse for the drone to return home safely,” an official said.
The UAV, which has 6 kg payload capacity, has a 60 km range for kamikaze attack missions and a 90 km range for ISR missions. For strike missions, it carries a 4.5 kg warhead. Capable of vertical takeoff and landing, and autonomous flight supported by artificial intelligence, the drone can conduct missions utilizing the communication relay capabilities of Baykar’s TB2, TB3, or AKINCI UAVs.
Baykar is also showcasing other products, including the Sivrisinek (Mosquito) Intelligent Loitering Munition that was unveiled at SAHA 2026 earlier this year. Developed in two different configurations - UM and UMX - to address diverse mission requirements, the system provides high mission effectiveness through advanced autonomous navigation, AI-based target recognition algorithms, and integrated mission planning software. Because of its catapult-based launch system, Sivrisinek does not require a runway and can be rapidly deployed from forward operating bases, challenging terrain, and confined areas. It can be programmed on the ground and launched within minutes, thus combining high performance, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and rapid deployment capability.
Also on display at the company’s stand is the Mızrak loitering munition, K2 Kamikaze UAV System, which was also publicly shown for the first time at SAHA 2026. The drone has 800 kg maximum takeoff weight, 200+ kg warhead payload capacity, range exceeding 2,000 kilometers, and endurance of over 13 hours. It has swarm flight capability, precision strike performance, advanced navigation infrastructure capable of operating in electronic warfare (EW) environments, and the ability to take off from short and unimproved airstrips. Also on display at the event are the company’s TB2, TB3 and the Akinci drones. Azerbaijan operates the TB2 and has also acquired the larger twin-engine Akıncı. Akıncı is designed to carry a wider range of sensors and weapons.
