Earthquake Response Drones: Istanbul’s Aerial Reconnaissance
**In a coordinated response to the seismic activity near Istanbul, the Ministry of National Defense has deployed a fleet of drones to assist in aerial reconnaissance efforts.** Three drones from the Baykar company, complemented by two from the Ministry itself, are now operational in the affected areas. This deployment follows a series of earthquakes, notably a magnitude-3.9 tremor that struck off the Silivri district on April 23, 2025, which was succeeded by a more powerful magnitude-6.2 quake.
The tremors were significant enough to be felt across many provinces in the Marmara region, prompting immediate action from local authorities. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that while there were 127 aftershocks following the main quake, there were fortunately no casualties or injuries reported. Interestingly, Yerlikaya mentioned only minor structural concerns, stating, “Currently, we have no reports of rubble in inhabited areas, but we do need to evacuate one abandoned building and nine homes in the Fatih district.”
Rapid Operational Response from Defense Authorities
Following the reports of the earthquake, the Ministry of National Defense swiftly mobilized its resources. As a response to the magnitude 6.2 quake, personnel from the AFAD Department, under the General Directorate of Logistics, began operations immediately. This proactive measure included deploying staff from the Disaster Management Center and the Monitoring and Coordination Center to enhance response efforts. The coordination extended to the General Staff and various military units, ensuring a robust emergency response.
The Disaster Management Centers belonging to the 1st Army Command and its regional commands were activated in response to the crisis. Notably, the Acting 1st Army Commander took an active role in the Istanbul Governorship’s Provincial Disaster Management Center, overseeing the deployment of the five drones assigned for aerial assessment. Together, these efforts underscore the collaborative spirit of the multiple agencies working towards ensuring public safety in the wake of recent seismic events.
In previous earthquake scenarios, such as the devastating incidents that affected 11 provinces in 2023, drones from Baykar had already proven invaluable. Not only did these missions include the use of the AKINCI and Bayraktar TB2 drones, but they also demonstrated the capacity of the Turkish defense industry to respond to natural disasters effectively. President of the Defense Industry, Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir, had previously asserted the importance of these UAVs, noting that over 30 drones had been deployed for reconnaissance and mapping tasks during those emergencies.
