Turkish Firms Develop Kamikaze ‘Drone Killer’ UAV

Turkish defense contractors Havelsan and Transvaro have developed a new kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of neutralizing enemy drones.

According to Havelsan official Nezih Şişman, the threat posed by low-cost drones has increased dramatically. He explained that the new UAV can protect critical facilities, organizations with scattered forces, and critical locations.

He revealed that the kamikaze drone can capture a swarm of UAVs at a distance of up to 40 meters, destroying them by detonating.

“At the end of the day, we [are] attempting something that has not been done before in Turkey,” he said, as quoted by Daily Sabah.

‘Utilizing Algorithms’

The kamikaze UAV is part of Havelsan and Transvaro’s wide range of drone detection and destruction systems that use different algorithms and various components such as radar, mixing devices, electro-optical suites, and radiofrequency detectors.

“We offer an artificial intelligence (AI) supported system that will utilize algorithms to detect, diagnose, analyze and eliminate a threat using the appropriate weapon,” Şişman remarked. “It will be able to do so thanks to software with a network-supported command and control system at its center.”

Since the UAV is still in the testing phase, it has yet to reach its full operational capabilities. However, the official disclosed that the company will demonstrate the capabilities of the entire system, from detection to destruction, in the coming months.

The kamikaze drone was exhibited at the 3rd Military Radar and Border Security Summit in Ankara.