AKINCI-C represents another upgrade in terms of total engine power in the AKINCI line, with the previous variant AKINCI-B having 750 hp turboprop engines and AKINCI-A having Ukrainian AI-450T 450 hp turboprop engines. The larger housing for engines is noticeable.
The increased power might be related to integrating ASELSAN’s MURAD AESA radar and the recent İHA-SOJ project that includes AKINCI in electronic warfare configuration. As an AESA radar, MURAD has a higher power demand than an electro-optic or SAR.
It is hard to give an engine name as there are multiple types of turboprop engines with the specified power rating. However, it is known that an agreement was signed between Baykar and Motor Sich for Ukrainian MS-500 engines to be integrated into AKINCI.
AKINCI achieved another milestone on the 22nd of February 2024 by hitting an ALBATROS target USV on the move using ASELFLIR-500 electro-optic and ROKETSAN’s MAM-T and MAM-L munitions.
Currently, nine countries have signed deals to procure AKINCI UCAV. These include Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia. At a minimum, 38 serial units have been produced, as seen from one of Kyrgyzstan’s UCAVs’ tail number “S-38”.
