Turkish Defense Ministry purchases locally-made Havelsan Baha UAVs

Defense News March 2024 Global Security army industry
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On March 7, 2024, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced the acquisition of an unspecified number of Havelsan Baha Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for its Land Forces Command. This development was disclosed during their Weekly Press Information Meeting, which addresses the Turkish Armed Forces' current activities and advancements.
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One of the notable features of the Baha UAV is its fixed-wing structure, designed to perform vertical takeoffs and landings, a departure from more traditional UAV designs. (Picture source: Havelsan)

The Baha UAVs, developed by the defense company Havelsan, are part of the Sub-Cloud UAV series, aimed at enhancing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. The integration of these UAVs into the military's resources follows their initial reveal at Turkey's Anatolian Eagle 2021 Exercise and subsequent field trials that led to design adjustments in 2022. These adjustments targeted the UAVs' size, weight, and payload capacity based on operational feedback.

One of the notable features of the Baha UAV is its fixed-wing structure, designed to perform vertical takeoffs and landings, a departure from more traditional UAV designs. This capability is supported by a hybrid power system, which incorporates a petrol engine for cruising and electric motors for vertical movements.

The Baha UAVs are designed to operate at altitudes reaching 15,000 feet and have a maximum range of 80 kilometers. Their endurance varies based on the mode of engine operation, and they come with a payload capacity of 5 kg, allowing for different types of mission-specific equipment to be fitted.

Havelsan aims to enable the Baha UAVs to operate autonomously and in coordination with other unmanned systems, forming what is referred to as a "digital unit." This concept envisions a centralized control mechanism via a single ground control station, which would manage synchronized operations and communications among various unmanned vehicles. In line with this vision, Havelsan is testing autonomous capabilities and integration strategies for UAVs and unmanned ground vehicles, focusing on potential swarm operations.