Baykar Defense announced that the first export contract for AKINCI Assault Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (AUAV) has been signed. The number of countries that has supplied Bayraktar TB2 UAVs increased from 13 to 16.
Haluk Bayraktar, General Manager of Baykar, evaluated the performance of the Turkish defence sector in 2021 to Anadolu Agency reporter, giving details about Baykar’s export performance.
Bayraktar emphasized that thanks to the steps and efforts taken towards the development of national UAV 20 years ago, the needs of the country were met with a record-breaking domestic industry participation, and now this technology is exported to the world.
Bayraktar AKINCI Has Been Exported for the First Time
Bayraktar stated that Bayraktar TB2 UAVs have been exported to 16 countries so far. The last known number was 13. Bayraktar TB2 has also successfully completed 420 thousand flight hours.
“We have also completed the first export contract of Bayraktar Akıncı AUAV. Within the scope of the contract, we will deliver Bayraktar Akıncı and ground systems in 2023. Baykar, which carries out all its projects from the R&D stage with its own resources, generates more than 85% of its revenues from exports. Thanks to these export revenues, it creates research and development resources for platforms such as the high-tech unmanned fighter aircraft MIUS (Combat Unmanned Aircraft System) and Bayraktar TB3,” Bayraktar said.
“The example of Baykar describes a journey in which many large and small companies of the sector took a role in the export process. Thanks to Baykar’s exports, the products developed by more than 1,000 domestic suppliers we work with are exported. Thus, the defense and aerospace ecosystem achieves a collective export success. On the one hand, Turkey is developing value-added strategic products. On the other hand, the added value of exports is increasing year by year,” he added.
Bayraktar TB2
Bayraktar TB2, among the greatest achievements of the Turkish defense industry, has been serving in the Turkish Armed Forces and the armies of allied countries since 2014.
The unmanned aerial vehicle, which was armed in 2015, is currently operationally used by the Turkish Armed Forces, Gendarmerie General Command, General Directorate of Security and Turkish Intelligence (MİT). Bayraktar TB2 UAVs have been actively working in the fight against terrorism in Turkey and abroad by the security forces since 2014.
Bayraktar TB2 Tactical UAV, developed by Baykar Defense, has left behind 420 thousand flight hours. TB2, which has been on active duty for 420 thousand hours, continues to maintain its position by breaking the record for being the national aircraft with the longest total flight hours once again.
Bayraktar TB2 Exports
257 Bayraktar TB2 UAVs produced so far.
According to the information we have gathered through open sources, the foreign countries that supply Bayraktar TB2 UAVs are as follows:
- Qatar
- Libya
- Ukraine
- Poland
- Turkmenistan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Morocco
- Azerbaijan
- Niger
- Ethiopia
The definite number of countries known to supply Bayraktar TB2 UAV is ten. Six countries remain, whose names are still undisclosed.
AKINCI Technical Specifications
- Communication Range: LOS & BLOS
- Takeoff and Landing: Runway (Automatic)
- Travel – Maximum Speed: 130 – 195 Knots
- Maximum Takeoff Weight: 5,500 kg
- Operational – Maximum Altitude: 40,000 feet
- Airborne: 24 hours
- Payload Capacity: 1,350 kg
- Wingspan: 20 mt.
- Payload – ISR: Simultaneous EO/IR/LD, Multi-Purpose AESA Radar & SIGINT
- Payload – Munitions: Laser Guided Smart Munitions, Missiles & Long Range Stand Off Munitions
- Propulsion Type: 2 x 750 HP or 2 x 450 HP Turboprop Engine
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SOURCE: TurkishDefenceNews, AA