The Ministry of National Defence (MoND), during its weekly press briefing, made statements regarding the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) found crashed in Balıkesir and Kocaeli, as well as a UAV detected approaching from the direction of the Black Sea and subsequently shot down. MoND sources stated that investigations are ongoing and that the results will be shared with the public.
In the assessment made by MoND sources, attention was drawn to the fact that small UAVs with low altitude and low radar cross-sections represent a new-generation security threat faced not only by Türkiye but by all states, including European countries.
UAVs in Balıkesir and Kocaeli are being examined
In the Ministry’s statement, it was noted that technical examinations of the UAVs found crashed in Balıkesir and Kocaeli are continuing, and that the findings obtained will be shared with the public.
It was also recalled that on 15 December, a UAV approaching Turkish airspace from the direction of the Black Sea was detected, tracked by F-16 fighter jets, and shot down through controlled intervention in a safe area.
Wreckage has not yet been reached
In the MoND statement, it was recorded that the wreckage of the UAV destroyed in the air has not yet been found, as it broke into very small pieces and scattered over a wide area.
“Our airspace is protected 24/7 by multi-layered systems”
The following statements were included regarding the security of Türkiye’s airspace:
“The control of our airspace is ensured on a 24/7 basis through a multi-layered architecture, including radars, electro-optical sensors, land, sea and air elements, as well as the NATO integrated structure. There is no vulnerability in this regard.”
“These incidents are not defence vulnerabilities, but reflections of regional conflicts”
MoND sources pointed out that the incidents experienced are not the result of an air defence vulnerability, but rather a consequence of the increased use of UAVs in the region due to the Ukraine–Russia war. It was emphasised that in interventions against UAVs with small size and low radar visibility, civilian air traffic and the safety of life are prioritised.
“Türkiye continuously improves its air defence capacity”
At the end of the statement, the measures taken by Türkiye against UAV threats were summarised as follows:
“Türkiye is taking additional measures against UAVs; through national projects and allied integrations, it continuously improves its air defence capacity and resolutely continues to ensure the security of its airspace.”
