Sudanese Army Shot Down Bayraktar Akinci That Flew in From Ethiopia Using Its Own Akinci

The Sudanese Army shot down a heavy multi-purpose strike and reconnaissance Bayraktar Akinci UAV using its own Akinci, which fired an air-to-air missile.

Video of the strike was published by Clash Report.

The Sudanese Armed Forces stated that they shot down the enemy drone near the city of Ad-Damazin, approximately 75 kilometers from the border, after it entered Sudanese airspace from Ethiopia.

The local publication Hash Sudan published photos of the wreckage of the downed drone. Based on its distinctive features, observers on the social network X identified the downed aircraft as an Akinci UAV, version B.

EXCLUSIVE: Sudan’s Army shot down an enemy combat drone using a Bayraktar Akıncı UCAV earlier today.

The SAF Bayraktar Akıncı drone fired an air-to-air missile, destroying the target. pic.twitter.com/HPti7fUGJU

— Clash Report (@clashreport) May 23, 2026

As a reminder, in early May, a spokesperson for the Sudanese Armed Forces accused the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia of aggression against his country and of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militants.

According to him, based on data collected by official agencies, it was established that on March 1, 2026, three drones were launched from Bahir Dar Airport in Ethiopia, which performed flying missions in Sudan.

On March 17, Sudanese air defense intercepted and shot down one of these drones north of the city of El-Obeid. Technical teams analyzed the UAV’s data and contacted the manufacturer, who confirmed that the drone with serial number S88 belongs to the United Arab Emirates.

Akinci

The Bayraktar Akinci is a heavy, multi-purpose strike and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle with a long flight endurance, developed by the Turkish company Baykar.

Work on the drone began in the mid-2010s as part of Turkey’s drive toward technological autonomy in the field of precision-guided weapons and aviation. The aircraft made its first flight in December 2019, and in 2021 it was officially adopted by the Turkish Armed Forces.

This UAV was designed as a heavier and significantly more powerful successor to the Bayraktar TB2, capable not only of performing reconnaissance and strike missions but also of deploying long-range cruise and air-to-ground missiles.

The project was immediately oriented toward integration with Turkish fighter jets and the prospect of ‘network-centric warfare.’

Technical specifications:

• Wingspan: approximately 20 m
• Length: approximately 12.2 m
• Maximum takeoff weight: approximately 5,500 kg
• Payload: up to 1,350 kg
• Powerplant: 2 turboprop engines
• Cruising speed: approximately 250 km/h
• Maximum speed: up to 360 km/h
• Service ceiling: up to 12,200 m
• Endurance: up to 24 hours
• Control range: limited only by the SATCOM channel