- Sudanese Baykar Akinci UCAV shoots down UAE-operated Akinci drone.
- Weapon used: Roketsan Eren missile, developed in Türkiye.
- Likely the world’s first drone-on-drone air-to-air kill.
- Incident highlights Sudan’s escalating proxy war and Türkiye’s rising role in unmanned warfare.
KHARTOUM/ANKARA, May 7 2026 (Agencies) — In a landmark moment for modern warfare, a Sudanese-operated Baykar Akinc drone has shot down a UAE-owned Akinc drone using a Turkish-made Roketsan Eren missile, defence sources confirmed this week. Analysts say the engagement is likely the world’s first confirmed drone-on-drone air-to-air kill.
The Sudanese drone, operated by forces loyal to General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, intercepted the UAE-owned Akinc reportedly flown from Ethiopia’s Bahir Dar Airport in support of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The strike took place near El-Obeid in North Kordofan, underscoring the intensifying proxy war in Sudan.
The Eren missile, developed by Turkish defence giant Roketsan, is designed for counter-drone and airborne interception missions. Its successful deployment in combat demonstrates the operational maturity of Türkiye’s defence industry, which has rapidly expanded its footprint in unmanned aerial systems.
Military analysts described the incident as unprecedented: identical Turkish-built drones, deployed by opposing sides, now weaponized against each other in direct combat. The engagement highlights Sudan as a testing ground for next-generation drone warfare, where unmanned systems are increasingly shaping battlefield outcomes.
The clash also underscores the geopolitical stakes, with Sudan accusing the UAE of operating drones from Ethiopian territory to back the RSF. The incident has heightened tensions between Sudan, UAE, Türkiye, and Ethiopia, raising concerns about the proliferation of advanced drone technology in proxy conflicts.
Defence experts say the engagement is a major showcase for Türkiye’s UAV industry, demonstrating its ability to dominate cutting-edge drone warfare. The Akinci UCAV, combined with Roketsan’s Eren missile, has now proven capable of achieving air-to-air kills — a milestone in unmanned combat history.