Turkish defense company Baykar recently announced the successful completion of testing for their Bayraktar Akıncı combat drone, which autonomously captured an aerial target using a guided missile named 'Eren', developed by Roketsan. The test took place over the Black Sea near the northern province of Sinop, showcasing the drone's advanced capabilities in long-range target acquisition. During the test, the Akıncı drone flew approximately 600 kilometers from its training and testing center near Çorlu to the designated test area before returning via the same route.

This marked another significant achievement for the Akıncı, as the drone has previously conducted similar aerial interception tests, including trials conducted in 2025 that utilized miniaturized cruise missiles named 'Kemankeş 1'. However, those earlier tests involved a multirotor drone carrying a suspended white canvas platform instead of a live missile target. The current test represents the Akıncı's first use of the Eren missile in an air-to-air interception role, thereby enhancing the operational versatility of the drone.

The 'Eren' missile, first delivered in 2025, features a turbojet engine, allowing for a remarkable strike range of over 100 kilometers and an operational endurance of up to 1 hour. The successful testing of such advanced autonomous weapons indicates a significant step forward for Turkey in drone warfare technology, reflecting the country's increasing prowess in developing indigenous military hardware and potentially influencing the balance of power in regional conflicts.