One thing BAYKAR has made us accustomed to is that once their systems reach a certain number of flight test hours, other validation and performance tests follow one after another at lightning speed. One of the key factors behind Baykar's rise from among many traditional aviation giants to become the world's leading institution in the UAV market is that it has reached a position where it has virtually redefined global market standards in the process from project development to operational capability. We know that what we are seeing today is indeed the first air-to-air engagement by a UCAV, but the fact that these test images belong to BAYKAR shows everyone, regardless of their bias, that this system will reach operational capability in a very short time, perhaps within a few years.
Also, I must mention this: Contrary to the speculation that arose on social media at one point, it has become clear that the approximately one-year hiatus in the project was actually a period of intense engineering and testing activities. Frankly, one of the doubts I always had was whether KE's STOL Naval version would be ready when MUGEM was launched. I guess my worries were for nothing.
Nevertheless, my impartial opinion is that the motivation to eliminate the PR of a potential competitor may also be behind bringing forward this physical BVR firing test. Undoubtedly, KE test activities are at a much more mature stage, and moreover, it is highly unlikely that this system, which has a much broader mission envelope, would leave the lead in this field to its competitor. In particular, dozens more tests will be conducted on air-to-air missiles in different flight envelopes and scenarios. Experts on the subject can explain this better, but some of these munitions will be tested while the aircraft is flying at different altitudes and speeds and perhaps performing high-G maneuvers. There is also the issue of munitions release from internal weapon stations, which is one of the system's truly lethal capabilities and involves another complex engineering feat.
Despite everything, our current position is a source of pride. It has reaffirmed our belief that the Turkish Air Force will spread its steel wings wider than ever in the 2030s and will even become one of the leading air forces in the transformation of combat aviation. I sincerely thank every engineer, technician, air force member, bureaucrat, and company official who contributed to this historic achievement today. As our Great leader said, the future lies in the skies.
