El-Fasher, Sudan – July 15, 2025
In a rare and significant development during Sudan’s ongoing civil war, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have claimed responsibility for shooting down a Turkish-made Bayraktar Akinci drone operated by government forces. The incident marks the first confirmed loss of this high-end combat UAV in the conflict.
According to Naked Science, the drone was downed near the contested city of El-Fasher in North Darfur—an area that has seen heavy fighting between the RSF and Sudanese government troops. Until now, the advanced capabilities of the Akinci had kept it largely out of reach of RSF fighters.
The Bayraktar Akinci is one of Turkey’s most advanced unmanned aerial systems, designed for both surveillance and combat missions. It can carry a wide array of precision-guided munitions, including air-to-ground missiles and bombs, while also providing real-time battlefield intelligence and artillery coordination.
The downing of the drone raises fresh concerns about the evolving capabilities of Sudan’s warring factions and the spread of high-tech weapons in the region.
The incident comes as Turkey deepens its defense partnerships in the Middle East. Ankara recently signed a $5 billion deal with Saudi Arabia to begin local production of the Bayraktar Akinci, following a July visit by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The deal builds on earlier agreements for the purchase of Turkish drones and signals a growing appetite for Turkish defense technology in the Gulf.
The loss of the Akinci highlights the increasingly complex and internationalized nature of Sudan’s conflict, with foreign-made weaponry now becoming central to the battlefield equation.
