Turkish Bayraktar Akinci Drone Shot Down by Kurdistan Freedom Guerrilla: A Costly and Overhyped Failure

In a major embarrassment for Turkey’s much-hyped drone program, the Kurdistan Freedom Guerrilla has successfully shot down a Turkish Bayraktar Akinci drone, exposing its vulnerabilities and shattering the illusion of its supposed technological superiority. The incident, which occurred on March 16, 2025, near the village of Sufyan in the Azos Mountains, raises serious questions about the combat effectiveness of the Akinci drone, which Turkey has long promoted as an unstoppable force in modern warfare.

The Incident: A High-Priced Drone, Taken Down by Simple Weapons

The People’s Defense Forces (HPG), the armed wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), stated that at 7:20 PM local time, their forces successfully shot down an Akinci drone that was engaged in surveillance or strike missions over Qandil. Turkey’s defense ministry, embarrassed by the loss, quickly denied ownership of the drone, despite overwhelming evidence of its wreckage.

What makes this incident particularly damning for Turkey’s drone program is that the Akinci was reportedly brought down by standard weaponry, not any advanced air defense system. This revelation undermines the Turkish military’s long-standing claims that the Akinci is an elite, battlefield-dominating UCAV. If an insurgent force like the Kurdistan Freedom Guerrilla can easily neutralize such an expensive asset, then the drone’s performance against well-equipped militaries with proper air defense systems would be laughable.

Akinci’s Costly and Inefficient Design

The Akinci has long been marketed as a revolutionary high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UCAV, but in reality, it is an overpriced, slow, and highly vulnerable platform. With a maximum takeoff weight of 5.5 tons and a payload capacity of over 1,350 kg, the drone is bulky and sluggish, making it an easy target for even basic anti-aircraft measures.

Unlike modern stealth drones, the Akinci has no radar-evading features, making it easily detectable by even mid-tier air defense radars. Its relatively slow cruising speed makes it an easy target for surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and even fighter jets. Against a military with a competent air defense network, the Akinci would be nothing more than a flying target.

The Myth of Turkish Drone Superiority

Turkey has aggressively promoted the Akinci and other Baykar drones like the Bayraktar TB2 as game-changers in modern warfare. However, the reality is far different. While Turkish drones performed well against poorly equipped militias in conflicts such as Nagorno-Karabakh and Libya, they have consistently struggled in high-threat environments.

The Akinci’s shortcomings were already evident when one of these drones crashed in Libya earlier this year, with reports suggesting it was either shot down or suffered from technical failures. Similarly, the Bayraktar TB2, once glorified for its role in Ukraine, has suffered heavy losses against Russian air defenses, proving that Turkish drones are far from invincible. The recent shootdown in Kurdistan is just another nail in the coffin of Turkey’s overhyped drone reputation.

Implications for Pakistan and Other Buyers

Pakistan, one of the largest buyers of Turkish drones, should take note of the Akinci’s humiliating downfall. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has integrated both the Akinci and Bayraktar TB2 into its military doctrine, believing them to be force multipliers in potential conflicts, particularly with India. However, this incident serves as a reality check: if an insurgent group can shoot down an Akinci with basic weapons, how would these drones fare against India’s advanced S-400 air defense system, fighter jets, or even indigenous SAMs?

The Akinci’s poor performance should force Pakistan’s defense planners to reconsider their heavy reliance on Turkish drones. Investing in unproven technology without adequate countermeasures, such as stealth capabilities, electronic warfare suites, or manned-unmanned teaming concepts, could leave the PAF exposed in a high-intensity conflict.

The Future of Turkey’s Drone Program: More Hype Than Substance?

Despite mounting failures, Turkey is unlikely to abandon its aggressive drone promotion campaign. The Akinci and TB2 remain central to its military strategy and arms exports. However, the loss of the Akinci in Kurdistan further cements the reality that these drones are not the invincible tools they are often portrayed as.

For nations considering Turkish drones, the message is clear: if a basic guerrilla force can neutralize the Akinci with standard weapons, imagine what a nation with real air defenses could do. The Akinci is not the future of warfare—it is an overpriced liability waiting to be shot down.