Bayraktar: Interest in Turkish-made strike drones growing in Europe

The war in Ukraine has led to an increase in the demand of European countries for such drones as Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar Akinci, Baykar Makina CEO Haluk Bayraktar, who is in Poland to participate in the international defense industry exhibition MSPO 2022 in Kielce, told Anadolu Agency, Report informs.

He said that the company headed by him is negotiating with a number of countries on the continent.

“Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, interest in Bayraktar TB2 has increased. Interest is also being shown to another strike drone - Akinci. Currently, negotiations with Western countries are ongoing,” Bayraktar said.

He reminded that Baykar Makina signed contracts for the supply of Bayraktar TB2 with 24 countries, and for Bayraktar Akinci with 4 countries.

Baykar will exhibit at MSPO 2022 a Bayraktar TB2 UAV equipped with mini-munitions manufactured by the Turkish company ROKETSAN.

President of Poland Andrzej Duda has already visited the Baykar booth in the exhibition area, where preparatory work is being completed. The Polish leader was informed about the characteristics and capabilities of the Bayraktar TB2.

Haluk Bayraktar presented the head of the Polish state with a model of the Bayraktar Akinci Attack drone.

Bayraktar stressed that Poland is of particular importance for Turkiye as a NATO ally.

He added that in May 2021, Poland placed an order for four Bayraktar TB2 systems. “In this regard, we have begun work on its production. There are changes in the development of Bayraktar TB2 for Poland, and new improvements are also required. There are differences in the data transmission system and radar payload. At the same time, conditions will be created in Poland under this contract for comprehensive maintenance of the drone,” he said.

Bayraktar added that deliveries to Poland will begin next month. The process of training the personnel who will operate the UAV is also nearing completion, he noted.