The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has officially announced the induction of the BAHA Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) into the inventory of the Turkish Land Forces. Developed by HAVELSAN, the BAHA UAV has completed all inspection and acceptance procedures, becoming a crucial addition to Türkiye’s expanding digital battlefield ecosystem.
As a Sub-Cloud UAV designed to operate below cloud cover, BAHA reinforces the vision of the “Digital Troops” concept, initiated by HAVELSAN in 2021. Its integration follows the earlier deployment of BARKAN, the Turkish Armed Forces’ first unmanned ground vehicle. Together, these platforms signify Türkiye’s rapid advancement in next-generation unmanned systems and network-centric warfare.
“With our domestically developed defense industry products, which aim to enhance our national and international power and influence, the capabilities of the Turkish Armed Forces continue to grow day by day,” Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk stated during the Ministry’s weekly press briefing.
Deployed in both military and civil scenarios, BAHA proved its operational flexibility during a national earthquake and disaster response exercise, supporting AFAD in rubble surveillance missions.
Beyond Türkiye, BAHA has achieved export success in Africa, Central Asia, and the MENA region over the past two years, reflecting global interest in its compact yet advanced reconnaissance capabilities.
BAHA UAV: Key Specifications
• Maximum Take-Off Weight: 28 kg (with payload)
• Wingspan: 4 meters
• Endurance: Up to 2 hours
• Cruise Speed: 80 km/h
• Operational Altitude: 8,000 ft
• Data Link Range: Up to 50 km
• Payload Capacity: 2 kg
• Propulsion: Electric motor
Key Features
• VTOL and runway-independent operations
• Sub-cloud, all-weather mission capabilities
• Dual-operator deployment and maintenance
• Effective in GPS-denied and jamming environments
• Autonomous return and safe landing on link loss
• Day/night ISR missions
• Coordination with other unmanned platforms
The BAHA UAV reflects HAVELSAN’s commitment to delivering indigenous, high-performance solutions for modern warfare. With its successful integration into the Turkish Armed Forces, BAHA strengthens the country’s defense modernization strategy while expanding its global defense footprint.
