{"id":17465,"date":"2026-08-12T07:38:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T07:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dbdcgroup.com\/?p=17465"},"modified":"2026-08-12T07:38:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T07:38:38","slug":"mali-receives-new-bayraktar-akinci-drones-to-strengthen-counter-terrorism-operations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbdcgroup.com\/el\/mali-receives-new-bayraktar-akinci-drones-to-strengthen-counter-terrorism-operations\/","title":{"rendered":"Mali Receives New Bayraktar AKINCI Drones to Strengthen Counter-Terrorism Operations"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Malian Armed Forces (FAMa) have officially received a new batch of Bayraktar AKINCI unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs)<\/strong> during a handover ceremony held in S\u00e9var\u00e9<\/strong> on 30 July 2026<\/strong>, marking another significant milestone in the country\u2019s military modernisation programme and the expansion of its unmanned aerial warfare capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ceremony was presided over by the Delegate Minister to the Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Major General Oumar Diarra<\/strong>, accompanied by a senior military delegation. During the event, the drones were formally handed over to the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Elise Jean Dao<\/strong>, who subsequently transferred them to the Chief of Staff of the Malian Air Force, Brigadier General Alou Bo\u00ef Diarra<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Ministry of Defence, the acquisition forms part of the government\u2019s ongoing efforts to modernise military equipment and strengthen the operational capabilities of the Malian Armed Forces in response to the persistent terrorist threat facing the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking during the ceremony, Major General Oumar Diarra stated that the procurement demonstrates the commitment of Mali\u2019s highest authorities to equip the armed forces with advanced and highly capable defence systems. He noted that the new drones will significantly improve operational effectiveness while contributing to the protection of the country\u2019s territorial integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Developed by Turkish defence company Baykar<\/strong>, the Bayraktar AKINCI<\/strong> is one of the world\u2019s most capable High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicles<\/strong>. Designed to perform missions traditionally assigned to manned combat aircraft, the AKINCI combines long endurance, heavy payload capacity and advanced sensor systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of approximately 6,000 kg<\/strong> and can carry an external payload of up to 1,350 kg<\/strong>, in addition to roughly 400 kg of internal payload<\/strong>, making it one of the highest-capacity UCAVs currently in operational service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Powered by two turboprop engines<\/strong>, the AKINCI can reach speeds of around 360 km\/h<\/strong>, operates at altitudes of up to 40,000 feet (approximately 12,200 metres)<\/strong> and has an endurance of more than 24 hours<\/strong>, enabling continuous surveillance and strike missions over extensive areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The platform is equipped with an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar<\/strong> (on selected variants), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)<\/strong>, Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI), Electro-Optical\/Infrared (EO\/IR) sensors, laser designator, electronic intelligence (ELINT), signals intelligence (SIGINT), satellite communications (SATCOM), and sophisticated electronic warfare systems, allowing operations in both day and night and under adverse weather conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The AKINCI can employ a broad range of precision-guided weapons, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n