Türkiye is developing specialised drones capable of dropping water directly onto forest fires, marking a significant expansion of the country’s use of unmanned technology in wildfire management.
The initiative aims to strengthen firefighting capabilities, particularly in remote and difficult-to-access terrain where conventional aerial firefighting operations can be challenging.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister İbrahim Yumaklı announced the project during a press briefing in Istanbul, revealing that the ministry is collaborating with Türkiye’s defence industry to develop unmanned aircraft capable of delivering water over challenging landscapes.
Yumaklı said that although water-dropping drone technology already exists in other countries, Türkiye’s requirements involve more demanding operational conditions. He described the planned capability as a potential world first, highlighting the country’s defence industry expertise as an important factor in its development.
Türkiye already operates 14 Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for forest surveillance, early fire detection and monitoring firefighting operations. Manufactured by Turkish defence company Baykar, the drones have become an important part of the country’s forest protection strategy.
The proposed development would extend these existing capabilities beyond surveillance and monitoring, allowing unmanned aircraft to play a more direct role in suppressing forest fires alongside conventional firefighting aircraft and ground-based emergency teams.
Türkiye Reports More Than 2,100 Forest Fires in 2026
Yumaklı also provided an update on Türkiye’s wildfire situation, reporting that emergency teams have responded to 6,219 fires so far in 2026.
These included 2,111 forest fires and 4,108 rural fires, with forest fires affecting approximately 24,527 hectares.
Despite the significant number of incidents, the figures indicate an improvement compared with 2025. The number of forest fires has declined by approximately 35%, while the total area burned has decreased by around 68%.
Expanding the Role of Drones in Wildfire Management
Türkiye’s water-dropping drone project highlights the growing role of unmanned aerial systems in modern wildfire management.
By combining early detection, real-time monitoring and potential aerial water delivery, the country aims to strengthen its ability to respond to forest fires, particularly in areas where difficult terrain can delay conventional firefighting operations.
If successfully developed and deployed, the technology could provide an additional tool for protecting forests, supporting emergency response teams and reducing the impact of wildfires.
