YIHA-III is the reporting name for Baykar's Sivrisinek loitering munition, a catapult-launched one-way attack UAV associated with Baykar's work at Pakistan's National Aerospace Science and Technology Park. Baykar's 2026 product page describes UM and UMX configurations with relay-assisted communications, autonomous navigation, and a 20 kg warhead, while Reuters and Indian government reporting tied Yiha/YIHA-III drones to Pakistan's May 2025 drone exchanges with India.
Reuters reporting said Pakistan depended on Turkish-origin YIHA-III drones during the May 2025 drone exchanges, while Indian government and media reporting identified Yiha/YIHA-III drones among Turkish-origin UAVs recovered or shot down after Pakistan-launched drone attacks.
Baykar's public Sivrisinek page presents two configurations, UM and UMX, with the UMX adding a longer fire-and-forget communication range and an AI-assisted electro-optical payload.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sivrisinek-UM | Baseline intelligent loitering munition configuration | Baykar lists the UM configuration with a 1,000 km operational range, 9+ hours endurance, 10+ km fire-and-forget communication range, and a 20 kg warhead. Sources: Baykar SİVRİSİNEK |
| Sivrisinek-UMX | Extended communication-range configuration | Baykar lists the UMX configuration with a 900 km operational range, 8+ hours endurance, 80+ km fire-and-forget communication range, AI-assisted EO camera payload, and GNSS/EO terminal guidance. Sources: Baykar SİVRİSİNEK |
Baykar says Sivrisinek can communicate through larger UAVs acting as relay aircraft.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Relay UAV | Baykar lists Bayraktar TB2 as one of the relay aircraft that can communicate with Sivrisinek. Sources: Baykar SİVRİSİNEK |
 | Relay UAV | Baykar lists Bayraktar AKINCI as one of the relay aircraft that can communicate with Sivrisinek. Sources: Baykar SİVRİSİNEK |
Baykar's public page splits the system into UM and UMX configurations and emphasizes remote, relay-assisted control rather than a runway-dependent airframe.
| Feature | Baykar documentation |
|---|---|
| Launch and recovery | Catapult takeoff, landing, cruise, and taxi; no runway required. |
| Control and guidance | Communication via TB2, TB3, or AKINCI as a relay; sensor-fusion-assisted, fully autonomous operations with AI-assisted autopilot and optical guidance. |
| Variants | Sivrisinek-UM and Sivrisinek-UMX. |
| Payload | 20 kg warhead. |
Janes says Baykar first displayed the drone in Karachi in August 2023, when its NASTP-linked presence began attracting attention under the YIHA III name.
Sources: Baykar displays previously little-known one-way attack UAV
Reuters reporting said Pakistan depended on Turkish-origin YIHA-III drones during the May 2025 drone exchanges, while Indian officials said Pakistan-launched examples were destroyed near Amritsar.
Sources: India and Pakistan's Drone Battles Mark New Arms Race in Asia, Indian Army Destroys Drone Aimed at Civilians in Punjab's Amritsar
Baykar's 24 April 2026 video showed the system at Keşan and effectively identified YIHA-III as Sivrisinek ahead of the Saha Expo display.
Sources: Baykar displays previously little-known one-way attack UAV
