Saudi Navy graduates personnel from AKINCI UAV training
The Royal Saudi Naval Forces graduated 30 personnel from Turkish AKINCI combat drone training in September 2026, marking a step toward maritime drone
Fifteen pilots and fifteen technicians from the Royal Saudi Naval Forces completed AKINCI UAV training at Baykar’s Çorlu facility in Türkiye. Baykar Technologies announced the graduation of the 30 personnel on September 25, 2026.
This marks the second batch of Saudi naval personnel trained on the system, which Saudi Arabia designates as the Al-Raad. The first batch's graduation was not publicly announced. The training completion is a milestone in a major defence export deal signed during the Turkish President's visit to Jeddah in July 2023. Baykar has described the AKINCI agreement as the largest defence and aerospace export contract in Türkiye's history.
Context of the AKINCI programme and Saudi acquisition
The 2023 agreement was for aircraft intended for both the Royal Saudi Air Force and the Royal Saudi Naval Forces, with training, technical support, and logistics included. A statement from Baykar in October 2025 confirmed that Royal Saudi Air Force personnel had also completed their AKINCI training at the Çorlu center.
The programme includes provisions for local production in Saudi Arabia, with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) stating this could cover up to 70% of the UAVs. The Bayraktar AKINCI is already in service with several countries and has been used in combat operations for reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike roles.
Capabilities and recent demonstrations of the AKINCI
The AKINCI is a high-performance combat drone. According to Baykar's published specifications, it has an endurance of more than 24 hours, can operate at 30,000 feet, and carries a payload of up to 1,500 kg. It has demonstrated air-to-air engagement capability.
Recent weapons tests have highlighted its potential for long-range maritime strikes. In a September 2026 test over the Black Sea, an AKINCI launched a UAV-300 supersonic missile that struck a maritime target more than 250 km away. This standoff distance exceeds the effective range of air defence systems on most warships. The drone's potential armament also includes the SOM stand-off cruise missile and Roketsan's UAV-230 missile.
Such capabilities allow the UAV to patrol vast ocean areas, track contacts, and relay targeting information to ships or command centers. It can receive targeting data from other assets rather than independently finding every target.
Undisclosed details and operational outlook
Despite the training milestone, key details of the Saudi acquisition remain secret. Media reports have estimated the contract's value at approximately $3 billion, but the final price, batch size, and delivery schedule are undisclosed. Baykar said: "The company did not say when the Saudi Navy would begin operating the aircraft or disclose details of its planned missions."
The system's operational debut may face challenges. In late July, Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed to have shot down an Akıncı and released video showing wreckage of one in Yemen. The Saudi Navy has not yet announced when it will begin operating the AKINCI UAVs or disclose details of planned missions.
