Turkish drone maker Baykar about to ink deals with 10 more countries on TB2 UCAV sales

Turkish drone magnate Baykar is in the contract phase with about 10 countries, the company's Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Selçuk Bayraktar, said on Wednesday. He was speaking during the Aviation and Space Summit organized by Gebze Technical University's Aviation and Space Club. Such developments regarding the sales of the Baykar's Bayraktar TB2 (Tactical Block 2) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) abroad would mean that export revenues will soon constitute a significant share in the firm's overall revenues. This particular UCAV has already been incorporated into the arsenals of Azerbaijan, Ukraine and Qatar. It has been actively used by Turkish forces in Syria and Libya and it saw action in Azerbaijan's recent Nagorno Karabakh conflict, paving the way for its international recognition with proven operational capability. Meanwhile, Poland has also signed a contract for the purchase of Bayraktar TB2s, becoming the first NATO member country to acquire Turkish drones. The combat drones will be armed with anti-tank projectiles. Poland will also buy a logistics and training package along with the aircraft. First shipments will arrive in 2022. Latvia later hinted that it could be the second European Union and NATO member state to acquire the Turkish UCAVs that have scored high-profile successes in the field. Albania is also interested in striking a deal to procure this particular combat drone. The country's interest in acquiring the Bayraktar TB2 became official after its parliament allocated an additional budget of more than 8 million euros ($9.5 million) for such procurement in June. Authorities in Turkey say the country has become the world's fourth-largest drone producer since Ankara took the helm for domestic production to reduce reliance on Western arms. The Bayraktar – with its electronic, software, aerodynamic, design and sub-main systems fully designed and developed nationally – stands out among the world's most advanced UAV systems in its class with its flight automation and performance. Authorities in Turkey say the country has become the world's fourth-largest drone producer since Ankara took the helm for domestic production to reduce reliance on Western arms. The Bayraktar – with its electronic, software, aerodynamic, design and sub-main systems fully designed and developed nationally – stands out among the world's most advanced UAV systems in its class with its flight automation and performance.