TURKEY, UKRAINE INK DEAL FOR 12 BAYRAKTAR TB2 UAVS
will buy 12 Turkish Bayraktar Tactical Block 2 (TB2) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for its military, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko confirmed Saturday.
“As we previously agreed with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we signed an agreement on purchasing Turkish armed drones, Bayraktar TB2s, for the Ukrainian army,” he wrote on Twitter.
“These newest attack drones will aid the army on operational and tactical levels, and besides having hightech characteristics, can be equipped with additional modern high-accuracy missile systems to destroy armored units or marine targets with fortified positions,” Poroshenko added.
According to Anadolu Agency (AA), Turkish UAV manufacturer Baykar will produce and deliver six Bayraktar TB2s to Ukraine within a year. Along with the UAVs, three ground control station systems and equipment will also be delivered.
The agreement was signed between Ukraine’s Ukrspetsproject, which is part of Ukrboronprom, and Baykar Makina. According to Poroshenko, the agreement is part of measures to expand military-technical cooperation between Ukraine and Turkey.
The Bayraktar TB2 armed drones, produced by Baykar, have seen operational use since 2015. They have continued to support Turkey’s fight against terrorism, providing effective surveillance, reconnaissance and fire support to the security forces during Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch.
Bayraktar TB2 UAVs have played an active role in detecting, diagnosing and neutralizing thousands of terrorists to date. The domestically developed drone is the first and only armed UAV to be included in the TSK inventory.
The drones were developed and produced locally. With its advanced electronics, software, aerodynamic, design, submain systems, as well as flight automation and performance, the Bayraktar TB2 stands out as one of the most advanced UAV systems in its class.
Performing active reconnaissance, surveillance and intelligence flights, the Bayraktar TB2 has the ability to transmit images to operation centers without delay and engage targets.
It boasts a service ceiling of 8,239 meters (27,030 feet) and a flight endurance of 24 hours. It can carry 150 kilograms (330 pounds) of payload and can be operated day and night.