By 2021, Türkiye has become the world's largest military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) supplier. This striking observation is highlighted in a report published by the Washington-based Center for a New American Security (CNAS).
According to the report, Türkiye has made significant strides in global competition by developing low-cost military UAVs, positioning itself prominently alongside countries like China and Iran. The long-standing market dominance of Israel and the United States has begun to wane with Türkiye's emergence. The success of armed unmanned aerial vehicles like the Bayraktar TB2 has propelled Türkiye to the top of this field.
According to defense technology expert Kadir Doğan, the most important feature that distinguishes Türkiye's UAVs from those of other countries is that these vehicles are "combat proven," meaning they have been tested and proven in real conflict situations.
Doğan emphasizes that, unlike other UAV manufacturers, Türkiye offers more flexible maintenance and repair processes. He notes, "While countries like the U.S. and Israel have rigid maintenance procedures, Türkiye maintains high user satisfaction by establishing on-site maintenance and repair facilities." This flexibility provides a critical advantage for user countries.
Additionally, Baykar's efforts to establish factories in Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and the United Arab Emirates further solidify Türkiye's leadership in UAV production. Doğan states, "This is not just about technological advancement but also about providing rapid and sustainable service to users. Türkiye distinguishes itself from competitors with its ability to quickly deploy UAVs to the field."
According to Doğan, there are two critical factors for the effectiveness of UAVs: first, their ability to withstand countermeasures, and second, their capability for integration with different systems. Türkiye's UAVs demonstrate strong performance against electronic warfare and air defense systems. "They can remain resilient even in environments with electronic jamming," he notes.
Another important factor is the adaptability of Turkish UAVs to the infrastructure of different countries. Doğan highlights the significance of integrating the Bayraktar TB2 with Azerbaijan's systems, which work with both Russian and NATO infrastructure. This flexibility makes Türkiye a preferred supplier worldwide.
Türkiye's UAVs also offer advantages in terms of cost and performance. Doğan notes that Turkish UAVs are cheaper than Israeli and American systems but more expensive than Chinese products. However, technically, these UAVs are more capable than those from China and are competitive with Israeli and American UAVs. Doğan adds, "Turkish UAVs are at a higher level in terms of field experience."
Doğan points out that the U.S. and Israel have strict export controls, whereas Türkiye adopts a policy more similar to China's, allowing it to sell to a broader range of countries. African, Middle Eastern, and Asian nations prefer Turkish UAVs due to their cost-effectiveness and proven field performance.
Finally, Doğan notes that Türkiye's position within NATO is another key factor in this success. The extensive operational use of the Turkish Armed Forces has led NATO allies, such as Poland, to purchase UAVs from Türkiye. He states, "We are a NATO member with a large army and significant field experience, which increases other countries' interest in Turkish UAVs."
