Ahmad 
“Military Africa” reported that Libya had acquired a Turkish-made “Akinci” combat unmanned aerial vehicle.
The website suggested that the plane was under the supervision of the Chief of Staff of the National Unity Government whose term had expired, confirming that the plane was spotted during the visit of the Turkish Chief of General Staff, General Metin Gorak, to Tripoli.
During the visit, the Prime Minister of the Unity Government, Abdul Hamid Al-Dbeibeh, received the Turkish Chief of Staff, to discuss military cooperation programs between the two countries and the issue of joint training. The timing of the delivery of the plane was not disclosed, but it was spotted carrying the Libyan flag.
Al-Dbeibeh’s interest in the “Akinci” plane dates back to 2022, when he visited Ankara on October 25 and signed a military cooperation agreement with Turkish Defense Minister Akar Hulusi, where an agreement was later signed to purchase the plane, according to Turkish media.
The website believes that this move has strengthened Al-Dbeibeh’s grip on power by protecting his administration from any potential military attack that might be launched by General Command forces, although the Turkish military presence is already limiting such attempts.
Libya owns about twenty Turkish Bayraktar drones, which were widely used during the war in the capital, Tripoli, between 2019 and 2020, which significantly changed the course of the battle in favor of the Dbeibeh government.
The “Akinci” plane is produced by the “Baykar” company, whose board of directors is headed by engineer Selcuk Bayraktar, the son-in-law of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
This aircraft is one of the latest Turkish drones and is distinguished by its combat capabilities and high techniques in detecting and tracking targets, in addition to the capabilities of flying at high altitudes.
The plane has two turbofan engines, weighs 4.5 tons, is capable of carrying ammunition up to five tons, and has a maximum speed of 195 knots. It is equipped with satellite communication and geographical positioning technologies, with a maximum payload of 5,500 kilograms.
“Military Africa” expected that Libya would obtain 12 “Horkosh” training and light fighter aircraft, which means “free bird,” based on an agreement signed last May 19, However, details of the expected timetable for the delivery of these aircraft were not announced.
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