“Turkish Land Forces Welcome the Cutting-Edge BAHA Drone into Their Arsenal!”

The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has revealed that the Sub-Cloud Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) BAHA, which was acquired in various numbers by the Land Forces Command, has successfully completed its evaluation and acceptance processes and has officially been incorporated into the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces.

Engineered by HAVELSAN and introduced into the Turkish Armed Forces’ arsenal in 2024, BAHA signifies a pivotal achievement in the evolution of Digital Troops, initially envisioned in 2021. Following the prior integration of BARKAN, the first unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) of the Digital Troops, BAHA’s deployment significantly bolsters the Turkish military’s modernization strategies.

Foreseeing the demands of upcoming operational landscapes, HAVELSAN has commenced the deployment of its unmanned systems within domestic territories and internationally. BAHA, a crucial component of this strategy, recorded export achievements in Africa, Central Asia, and the MENA region in 2023 and 2024, and has now been made accessible for deployment by national security forces.

Exhibiting its adaptability beyond military functions, BAHA was also utilized during a disaster and earthquake exercise coordinated by AFAD (Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) for debris reconnaissance and monitoring missions.

During the Ministry of National Defense Weekly Press Briefing, Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk highlighted the expanding capabilities of the Turkish Armed Forces through domestically produced defense industry innovations, stating,

“With our locally developed defense industry innovations, designed to amplify our national and global strength and impact, the competencies of the Turkish Armed Forces are enhancing consistently. In this scope, the evaluation and acceptance processes for the Sub-Cloud Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (BAHA) acquired by the Land Forces Command have been finalized, and the systems have been integrated into our inventory.”

General Specifications of BAHA:

• Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW): 28 kg (including payload)
• Wingspan: 4 meters
• Payload Capacity: 2 kg
• Data Link Range: Up to 50 km
• Cruise Speed: 43 knots / 80 km/h
• Propulsion System: Electric Motor
  • Endurance: Up to 2 hours
  • Ceiling Altitude: 10,000 ft
  • Operational Altitude: 8,000 ft
• Wind Resistance Limit: 25 knots
• Operating Temperature Range: -10 °C / +50 °C

Key Features of BAHA:

• Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) with Runway-Independent Operation Capability
• Sub-Cloud Operational Functionality
• Transportation, Operation, and Maintenance by Two Technicians
• Day and Night Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Intelligence Missions
• Functionality in Jamming Environments
• Target Coordinate Estimation
• Telemetry Link Redundancy
• Autonomous Return and Landing Upon Link Loss
• Integration with Diverse Mission-Specific Sensors
• Collaborative Operations with Other Unmanned Systems

Engineered with advanced engineering solutions to satisfy the needs of contemporary military forces, BAHA continues to elevate the operational capabilities of the Turkish Armed Forces and stands as a testament to HAVELSAN’s dedication to technological excellence.