In a significant development that could redefine future air combat, Turkey’s advanced Kizilelma unmanned fighter jet is emerging as a leading candidate to operate alongside the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) — the ambitious sixth-generation fighter project involving Italy, the United Kingdom, and Japan. This potential collaboration signals a deepening convergence of defense technologies and a strategic shift towards integrated manned-unmanned teaming.
The Kizilelma, developed by Turkish drone giant Baykar, is a stealth-capable, jet-powered unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. With capabilities ranging from aggressive maneuvering and autonomous operation to potential supersonic speeds, it represents a new class of unmanned aircraft. Its design incorporates a low radar cross-section, an AESA radar for superior situational awareness, and the ability to operate from short-runway aircraft carriers, offering remarkable versatility.
At the recent Paris Air Show 2025, Leonardo’s CEO, Roberto Cingolani, confirmed that Italy is actively exploring unmanned “loyal wingman” options for GCAP, with Kizilelma at the forefront. The concept of a loyal wingman involves UCAVs operating in close coordination with crewed fighter jets, undertaking high-risk tasks such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, decoy deployment, and precision strikes. This strategy aims to extend the reach and capabilities of the manned aircraft while significantly reducing exposure to threats for human pilots.
The selection of Kizilelma is particularly noteworthy given Baykar’s rapid development cycle and combat-proven track record with other drone platforms like the TB2 and Akinci. The existing joint venture between Leonardo and Baykar, known as LBA Systems, provides a robust institutional framework for the integration of Turkish aerospace systems into the GCAP ecosystem. This partnership leverages Baykar’s expertise in combat drones and artificial intelligence with Leonardo’s capabilities in mission systems and certification.
This collaboration carries profound strategic implications. It not only addresses a critical requirement for GCAP, which had been seeking a suitable drone wingman, but also signifies a deeper alignment between Turkish, European, and Japanese defense industries. It could potentially serve as a bridge between NATO’s southern flank and Indo-Pacific stakeholders, offering a powerful counterweight to other defense initiatives and bolstering NATO’s overall technological sovereignty in the evolving landscape of global airpower.