Why Turkey Is Becoming a Drone Superpower: Bayraktar TB2 and the Rise of Turkish UAVs

Turkish-made drones could play a vital role for Ukrainian forces and could be deployed in the ongoing tensions against Russia. In fact, Turkish drones have been important in many other conflicts around the world.

Turkey’s importance

Turkey is the only Muslim member of the Western military alliance NATO.

Turkey has the second largest army in NATO after the United States and shares military technology with its allies.

In terms of operational and production capacity, Turkey is in the best position in the region, leaving Israel behind.

lTwo major drone manufacturers in Turkey.

The following are the two major drone manufacturers in Turkey.

Baker Defense produces the Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar Akinci drones, which are in high demand worldwide.

The company’s chief technical officer, Selcuk Bayraktar, has close family ties to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The second largest drone manufacturer is Turkish Aerospace Industries, which makes TAI Inc. and TAI Aksengör.

The Turkish armed forces and security agencies operate more than 150 drones manufactured by them. In addition, they also use a “large number of small surveillance drones.”

Turkey’s military relations with Ukraine

Turkey has sold dozens of Bayraktar TB2 armed drones to Ukraine since 2019.

Ukraine is using these Turkish drones in its war with Russia

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Ukraine in the past to sign an agreement to further expand the drone trade between the two countries.

How does Russia view this development?

Last October, Russia repeatedly criticized Turkey, saying that its drones were “destabilizing the region.”

Turkey has played a mediating role between Russia and Ukraine

Turkey’s relations with Russia.

Despite strong criticism from NATO and the United States, Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 air defense system from Russia was seen as an example of Erdogan’s improved relations with Russia.

Turkey is also a buyer of Russian oil.

It is not clear how many Bayraktar TB-2 drones are in Ukraine.

The drones are equipped with a state-of-the-art electro-optical camera, data link system and two to four precision-guided munitions.

These features of the drones “help identify targets for friendly units as well as hit them with their guided bombs.”

Which countries have Turkish-made drones?

Turkey’s customers are growing rapidly in terms of drone sales.

The country’s export figures do not include any specific reference to the exact number of drones sold in its trade deals.

But more than 15 countries are believed to have ordered Turkish-made Bayraktar and TI drones.

The fighting between Armenia and Azerbaijan continued for several days, and Azerbaijani forces used Turkish-made drones to target Armenian soldiers, military vehicles, artillery and air defense systems, helping them regain control of some disputed territory.

Africa is also a major market for Turkish drones.

Turkey is a major competitor, especially in the African market, to rival Achin manufacturers.

“Turkey’s low-cost drones come with NATO-standard performance and the quality of its armed drones.”

Morocco, Algeria, Rwanda, Nigeria and Ethiopia have expressed interest in Turkish-made drones.

Military deals are not publicized, but Turkey signed a defense cooperation agreement with Ethiopia last year and export figures show a rapid growth in the aviation sector.

In the past, US officials have expressed reservations about Turkey selling drones to Ethiopia.

But Turkey is choosing to seek new markets for its military hardware regardless.

The drone sales will enable it to build continued military and industrial ties, which in turn will help Turkey increase its military, diplomatic and economic influence in and around the country from which it receives the drones.

And Turkey has its eyes on Africa as a market, as President Erdogan himself has expressed it.

Power of turkish drones

 it helped shift battlefield dynamics, destroying tanks, artillery systems, and air defenses with precision.Perform real-time surveillance and precision strikes

The Bayraktar TB2 has been used successfully in multiple conflicts:

Ukraine-Russia War

 Azerbaijan vs Armenia

Libya and Syria civil wars

Cost

 The price of BayraktarTB-2 drones is approximately 2milion usdt this price is most cheaper than American drones.Turkish drones  are most affordable for smaller and poor countries.