Baykar Bayraktar TB2
| Industry | Defense, Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Founder | Selçuk Bayraktar |
| Headquarters | Turkey |
| Products | Bayraktar TB2 UAV |
Bayraktar TB2
Bayraktar TB2 (in Turkish, Standard-bearer TB2) is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed for both remotely piloted and autonomous missions. This UAV is produced by the Turkish firm Baykar Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., primarily serving the Turkish Armed Forces. The system's operation, including weapon deployment, is conducted by a ground control team. The development of this drone is largely attributed to Selçuk Bayraktar, an alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
By late 2021, the Bayraktar TB2 fleet had amassed over 400,000 flight hours worldwide. While Turkey remains the main user, export versions have been acquired by several other nations. The drone has been extensively deployed in operations targeting Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and People's Protection Units (YPG) forces within Iraq and Syria. Furthermore, Bayraktar TB2 units have been utilized by various countries in conflicts such as Azerbaijan during the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War, Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, and Ethiopia in the Tigray War.
The introduction of the Bayraktar TB2 marked a significant shift in Turkey’s military approach, inspiring new doctrines in modern warfare. Military experts and strategists widely regard it as a catalyst for novel combat methods, with political analyst Francis Fukuyama among those acknowledging its transformative impact on global military dynamics.
Development
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The initiation of the Bayraktar TB2 project was largely motivated by the United States' prohibition on exporting armed drones to Turkey, driven by apprehensions that these UAVs might be deployed against PKK factions both within and beyond Turkish borders.[1]
Following this, Baykar embarked on creating a new tactical combat aerial system under the directive of the Presidency of Defense Industries, building upon the lessons learned from its initial tactical UAV, the Bayraktar Çaldıran or Bayraktar TB1, which had been delivered to the Turkish military in 2011.[2] The Bayraktar TB2 successfully completed its first flight in August 2014.[3] On 18 December 2015, footage was released showcasing a missile launch test from the Bayraktar TB2, marking a joint effort with Roketsan. This event also represented the initial trials of Roketsan's MAM and TUBITAK-SAGE's BOZOK laser-guided bombs.[4][5][6]
Components and technologies
Initially, the Bayraktar TB2 incorporated foreign and controlled parts such as the Austrian-made Rotax 912 engines[7] and optoelectronic systems like FLIR sensors sourced from Canadian company Wescam or German firm Hensoldt. Following revelations about their use in military drones despite civil certification, Bombardier Recreational Products, owner of Rotax, halted engine shipments to selected nations in October 2020.[7][8]
According to The Guardian, British technology played a pivotal role in arming the Bayraktar TB2, specifically through the supply of the Hornet micro-munitions bomb rack by EDO MBM Technology Ltd. This equipment was delivered to Turkey in 2015, with adaptations integrated into the drone by EDO MBM and Roketsan.[9] However, Baykar’s Chief Technical Officer Selçuk Bayraktar refuted claims regarding British origin of the bomb rack, stating on Twitter that it was neither purchased from the UK nor functional or cost-effective. He emphasized that Baykar had independently designed and produced a more sophisticated and economical version.[10]
On 19 August 2020, the UK’s Department for International Trade (DIT) revealed records indicating a six-year span of Hornet bomb rack exports to Turkey from 2014 through 2020. This suggests that critical technology transfers persisted well beyond Bayraktar TB2’s development phase and up until shortly before The Guardian’s November 2019 exposé. Between 2014 and 2020, EDO MBM Technology submitted eighteen Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) requests for Hornet Bomb Racks / Missile Launchers destined for Turkish recipients; sixteen of these were approved.[11]
In October 2020, Armenian officials disclosed that components from the Canadian Wescam MX-15D system had been recovered from a downed Bayraktar TB2 during hostilities with Azerbaijan. This revelation led to Canada suspending MX-15D exports to Turkey while Global Affairs Canada investigates Canadian technology’s involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.[12][13][14] In response to international restrictions on sales, Turkey’s defense sector announced domestic substitutes such as the TEI-PD170 engine produced by TEI,[15][16] fuel valve components, and Aselsan’s CATS FLIR system.[17] Testing for integration of these indigenous systems commenced on 6 November 2020.[18] Defense analyst Kadir Doğan noted via Twitter that despite foreign suppliers halting component sales to Baykar, this posed no significant obstacle as all parts had been substituted with domestically produced alternatives by early 2021.[19]
Nevertheless, most international clients of Baykar—including Ukraine, Poland, Morocco, and Kuwait—opted against procuring Aselsan’s CATS electro-optical turret. Instead, they favored acquiring the Wescam MX-15D system through authorized distributors.[20][20] The choice was influenced by factors such as an increase in weight from 45 to 61 kg (99 to 134 lb), overall performance considerations, and compatibility with their existing UAV fleets.[20]
Design
The Bayraktar TB2 features a blended wing body configuration combined with an inverted V-tail layout. Propulsion is provided by a two-blade variable-pitch propeller arranged in a pusher configuration. Positioned between the tail booms, the propeller is powered by an internal combustion engine housed within the fuselage. The airframe employs a monocoque structure that is modular, allowing major components such as wings, tail booms, and V-tail assemblies to be detached. The fuselage primarily consists of carbon fiber composites, with precision-machined aluminum used at connection points. Fuel is contained in bladder tanks, and its flow is regulated through solenoid valve mechanisms to optimize consumption.
The ground control station (GCS) is constructed on a NATO-standard shelter platform and incorporates cross-redundant command and control systems. This mobile unit accommodates a crew of three: pilot, payload operator, and mission commander. It includes dual air conditioning units and filtration systems designed to protect against nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) threats. Inside the shelter, all equipment is organized within rack-mounted cabinets. Operators each have access to dual displays paired with interface software that facilitates real-time command, control, and monitoring functions.
Although officially categorized by the Turkish Armed Forces as a "Tactical UAV Class" to avoid competing with the TAI Anka UAV, internationally the Bayraktar TB2 aligns with the classification of a medium-altitude long-endurance UAV.
Configuration
A typical Bayraktar TB2 system includes six aerial vehicle units, two ground control stations, three ground data terminals (GDT), two remote video terminals (RVT), and associated ground support equipment. Each airborne unit is outfitted with a triply redundant avionics suite. The ground control system’s cross-redundant design enables seamless command, control, and monitoring by the pilot, payload operator, and mission commander.
Digital flight control system
The TB2 incorporates a flight control system with triple redundancy, enabling autonomous operations such as taxiing, takeoff, cruising, landing, and parking. Its core is a computerized flight control unit programmed with sensor fusion algorithms that process real-time data from multiple sensors. Specific mission commands are managed by the mission-control computer. The aircraft’s movement is directed through several redundant rotary and linear servo actuators. Continuous enhancements are made to all primary airborne avionics hardware and software components.
Power for the onboard electronics is delivered via three alternators and balanced lithium-ion battery packs equipped with smart management systems. A robust, heated camera is installed in the tail section to oversee flight activities, while all payload information and telemetry data are recorded on the onboard data recorder. The avionics’ redundant design supports autonomous emergency landings at various airfields if required. Navigation and automatic landing capabilities are maintained even in the absence of GPS signals, thanks to sensor fusion algorithms that include an inertial navigation system.
Price
Baykar has not officially disclosed the unit cost; however, its website features multiple news articles about 2022 crowdfunding initiatives in Europe aimed at purchasing Bayraktar UAVs for Ukraine. These campaigns typically set a target price near US$5 to 5.5 million per unit.
This price represents approximately one-sixth of the cost of the US-manufactured General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper UAV, though the TB2 carries only about one-tenth of the Reaper’s payload capacity.
Turkey
The Bayraktar TB2 became notably prominent in the Turkish Armed Forces' counterinsurgency campaigns targeting Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and People's Protection Units (YPG) positions located within Iraq and Syria.[21][22][23]
On 30 June 2018, a Bayraktar TB2 operated by the Turkish Air Force experienced a technical malfunction resulting in a crash in Turkey’s Hatay province.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
In early 2018, Turkish forces integrated UAV capabilities with artillery strikes in Syria to combat YPG targets. Turkey reported that these drone-assisted operations accounted for 449 militants killed or injured, while combined efforts involving TB2 drones contributed to neutralizing an additional 680 adversaries.[21]
A joint cross-border mission conducted on 15 August 2018 by the Turkish Land Forces and the National Intelligence Organization (Turkey) successfully utilized a Bayraktar TB2 to eliminate İsmail Özden, a senior PKK leader and Kurdistan Communities Union board member, in northwestern Iraq’s Sinjar District.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
On 16 May 2021, a Bayraktar TB2 was downed in Zebari, northern Iraq; Kurdish insurgents claimed responsibility for shooting down the UAV.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Following the devastating 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake, 37 Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones accumulated over 1,551 flight hours within the affected region. These UAVs played a critical role in delivering real-time imagery and data to emergency response teams, aiding damage assessment, search-and-rescue efforts, and operational coordination.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
On 20 June 2023, another Turkish Bayraktar TB2 crashed in Qandil, northern Iraq, with the wreckage landing in territory controlled by Kurdish militia forces.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Turkish UAV Operations in Syria
In March 2020, during the launch of Operation Spring Shield, Turkey deployed a combination of Bayraktar TB2 drones, Anka-S UAVs, and various Koral electronic warfare systems to target Syrian army positions across northwestern Syria. This offensive followed significant Turkish casualties inflicted by Russian forces in late February 2020. Throughout the operation, Turkish forces extensively utilized TB2 drones to effectively disrupt enemy radar systems and disable Syrian air defense units such as the Pantsir and Buk systems. By employing the domestically developed KORAL electronic warfare platform, which can generate false radar signatures, Turkey succeeded in inflicting substantial damage on both Syrian and Russian military assets. Consequently, the combined assaults forced a halt to the offensive actions conducted by Assad's regime forces backed by Russia and Iran in Idlib province.
Experts widely regarded this deployment as a tactical breakthrough that altered the balance of power on the battlefield. Turkish UAV strikes during one week of combat resulted in the destruction of 73 Syrian armored vehicles and caused at least 405 regime casualties, including 30 senior officers. Open-source investigations identified numerous destroyed equipment pieces, including various models of tanks (T-55, T-62, T-72), BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, multiple artillery systems such as 2S1 Gvozdika howitzers and BM-21 Grad rocket launchers, as well as several air defense assets like Pantsir-S1 units and S-75 Dvina missile systems. Additionally, reports from sources close to the U.S. government indicated that within a week, the Syrian Army lost several aircraft—including three warplanes and eight helicopters—alongside significant numbers of tanks, artillery pieces, armored vehicles, ammunition depots, and air defense installations. Despite these losses inflicted by Turkish drone operations, only three Bayraktar drones have been visually confirmed as shot down.
On 23 August 2020, Syrian air defenses successfully downed a Bayraktar TB2 near Kafr Nabl in Idlib after it was detected while conducting reconnaissance for Syrian rebel forces. Later, on 22 October 2021, Turkish drones targeted Ayn al-Arab in Syria using Bayraktar TB2s, destroying multiple vehicles and killing a passenger believed to be affiliated with a Kurdish insurgent group.
Throughout 2022, Turkish drone strikes—including those carried out by Bayraktar UAVs—resulted in the deaths of approximately 50 fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) along with 10 civilian casualties.
Libya
In June 2019, international media outlets revealed that Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) deployed Bayraktar TB2 drones to target an airbase controlled by General Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA). Despite the ongoing UN arms embargo related to Libya's civil conflict, it is believed that government forces operated at least three Bayraktar TB2 UAVs over Tripoli. Footage dating back to 11 June 2019 confirmed the presence of a TB2 drone flying above Tripoli, preparing to land at the military section of Mitiga International Airport, which was under GNA-affiliated control. Turkish-supplied Bayraktar TB2s demonstrated effectiveness against Pantsir air defense systems in Libya, reportedly destroying nine such units.
- On 14 May 2019, LNA air defenses successfully downed a GNA Bayraktar TB2 in the Al-Jufra region.
- Two GNA TB2 drones were destroyed by LNA strikes at Mitiga Airport on 6 June 2019.
- Another TB2 was shot down by LNA forces on 30 June 2019.
- On 25 July 2019, TB2 drones attacked Al-Jufra Air Base, destroying two LNA-operated Ilyushin Il-76TD cargo aircraft on the ground; during this strike, a GNA TB2 was also lost near the same airbase.
- A GNA TB2 was shot down in Ain Zara, Tripoli, on 14 December 2019.
- On 2 January 2020, a TB2 belonging to the GNA was downed south of Mitiga Airport.
- LNA forces shot down a GNA TB2 drone bearing serial number T92 shortly after its takeoff from Mitiga Airport on 22 January 2020.
- On 25 February 2020, the LNA destroyed a GNA Bayraktar TB2 and released footage of the wreckage.
- Another GNA TB2 was shot down by LNA forces on 26 February 2020, with video evidence provided.
- Two additional GNA TB2 drones were downed near Tripoli by the LNA on 28 February 2020, with images of both wrecks shared publicly.
- On 31 March 2020, the LNA claimed to have shot down two GNA TB2 UAVs near Tripoli—one at Misrata Air College and another in Al-Tawaisha.
- A GNA Bayraktar TB2 was destroyed in Tarhuna on 11 April 2020.
- On 13 April 2020, a drone identified as serial number T94 from the GNA was shot down close to Mitiga Airport by LNA forces.
- Two more GNA TB2 drones were lost on 17 April 2020—one with serial number T95 near Bani Walid and another near Misrata.
- On 18 April 2020, an LNA operation resulted in shooting down a GNA Bayraktar TB2 south of Tripoli.
- A further loss occurred on 2 May 2020 when a GNA TB2 was destroyed near Arada, close to Mitiga Airport.
- On 12 May 2020, another GNA Bayraktar TB2 was shot down near Ash Shwayrif in Tripoli.
- Between 21 and 23 May 2020, the LNA’s Pantsir missile systems intercepted three GNA UAVs—including one TAI Anka drone over Tarhuna city and two TB2 drones over al-Shuwairif and Qaryat areas in southwestern Jabal al-Gharbi province.
- Two more GNA Bayraktar TB2 drones were taken down by LNA forces near Sirte on 7 June 2020.
- By early July 2020, reports indicated that at least sixteen Bayraktar TB2 drones had been lost or destroyed during six months of conflict in Libya. Since the LNA offensive began in Western Libya in April 2019, total losses of these UAVs reached twenty-three.
Azerbaijan
In June 2020, Azerbaijan's Defence Minister, Zakir Hasanov, revealed the country's plan to acquire Bayraktar drones from Turkey. Throughout the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, Bayraktar TB2 drones played a significant role in operations against the Armed Forces of Armenia. These UAVs were effectively deployed to target Armenian artillery, infantry locations, and various military vehicles, including BM-30 Smerch MLRS, T-72 tanks, as well as BMP-1 and BMP-2 IFVs. Additionally, Azerbaijani drones, presumably TB2s, destroyed nine air defense systems such as the Osa and Strela-10 units.
On 19 October 2020, Armenian forces successfully shot down a Bayraktar TB2 over Nagorno-Karabakh using their air defense systems. Subsequently, on 8 November 2020, another Azerbaijani Bayraktar TB2 was downed by air defenses in the southeastern region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Ukraine
In 2019, the Armed Forces of Ukraine acquired 12 Bayraktar TB2 drones as part of their ongoing military upgrade initiative.[24][25] Early in 2019, Baykar entered into a contract with Ukrspetsproject, a subsidiary of Ukroboronprom, to supply six TB2 units along with three ground control stations, valued at approximately US$69 million for the Ukrainian military.[26][27] The initial delivery of these unmanned aerial vehicles occurred in March 2019.[28] Following successful trials, the Ukrainian Navy placed an order for an additional six TB2 drones scheduled for delivery in 2021, as confirmed by naval representatives.[29] Concurrently, officials from Turkey and Ukraine announced the formation of a joint venture aimed at manufacturing an additional 48 Bayraktar TB2 units within Ukraine.[30] The navy received its first shipment of the Bayraktar TB2 system in July 2021.[31]
On April 9, 2021, amid heightened Russian military activity in Crimea and along Ukraine’s borders, a TB2 drone executed a reconnaissance mission over the Donbas area. This marked the inaugural operational deployment of the drone by Ukrainian forces within an active combat zone.[32][33] In October of the same year, a TB2 drone was employed in combat for the first time during the conflict, successfully striking a Russian separatist artillery emplacement. The attack destroyed a D-30 howitzer, effectively ceasing shelling on Ukrainian positions near Hranitne.[34]
2022 Russian invasion
Throughout the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian forces deployed TB2 drones effectively against Russian troops and military assets.[35] Prior to the conflict, in January, Lt. Col. Yuri Ihnat, spokesperson for the air force command, revealed that Ukraine possessed about 20 Bayraktar drones and intended to expand this number.[36] On 2 March, Ukraine's defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, confirmed the delivery of additional TB2 units.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Video evidence shared by Ukrainian military sources illustrates the TB2 drones successfully targeting and destroying a range of Russian equipment, including command centers, armored vehicles such as tanks and IFVs, various trucks, and sophisticated air defense systems like the Buk and Tor. The drones also neutralized self-propelled artillery, multiple rocket launcher systems (MLRS), howitzers, and electronic warfare platforms.[35][37]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name[38][39] Additional reports indicate the destruction of two Russian fuel trains, patrol boats, and a helicopter by these UAVs.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name[40][41]
On the day Russia launched its invasion, 24 February, four Bayraktar TB2 drones at Chuhuiv Air Base were abandoned amid Russian rocket strikes and subsequently destroyed by Ukrainian personnel on site.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The People's Militia of the Luhansk People's Republic claimed to have downed two TB2 drones near Luhansk city.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name By 27 February, Ukraine’s air force confirmed successful TB2 strikes against Russian convoys in the regions of Kherson and Zhytomyr.[37]
Lieutenant General Mykola Oleschuk, head of Ukraine’s air force, described the UAV platform as "life-giving".Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name The drone’s popularity within Ukraine inspired a song titled "Bayraktar", which lauded the UAV while disparaging the invading Russian forces.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Ukrainian-operated TB2s appear equipped with anti-jamming antennas and typically employ laser-guided munitions such as MAM-C and MAM-L bombs. Due to their modest speed and compact size resulting in a low radar cross-section, conventional search radars often struggle to detect them. One radar destroyed on 7 May was reportedly active just before being targeted; however, Russian units are known to deactivate radars to minimize detection risk. These drones can be rapidly deployed and launched from ordinary roads within minutes.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
On 17 March 2022, a Bayraktar TB2 was downed over Kyiv with Russia releasing images of its wreckage.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name A second unit was shot down on 29 March in eastern Ukraine.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name A third loss was recorded on 2 April.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name[42]
On 12 April 2022, it was reported that the Russian frigate Admiral Essen destroyed a Bayraktar TB2 off Crimea’s coast.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Ukrainian sources claimed on 13 April that at least two R-360 Neptune missiles sank the Russian cruiser Moskva, causing an explosion on one of its missile tubes. It is believed that UAVs, likely TB2s, assisted by distracting the cruiser’s defenses.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Between 26 and 27 April, three more TB2 drones were lost—two within Kursk OblastCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name and another in Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, where it was downed by a Pantsir-S1.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
On 1 May, a TB2 identified as S51T was shot down in Russia’s Kursk region.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Confirmed visual evidence indicates at least seven TB2 losses so far.[40]
On 2 May, Ukrainian-operated Bayraktar drones attacked and sank two Russian Raptor-class patrol boats near Snake Island.[40]
A TB2 drone destroyed a Russian Mil Mi-8 transport helicopter unloading troops on Snake Island on 7 May.[41] During this operation, one Tor missile launcher on the island was eliminated by a TB2 drone while another launcher was destroyed during offloading from a landing craft. This enabled a Ukrainian Air Force Sukhoi Su-27 'Flanker' aircraft to conduct bombing runs against island facilities.[39]
On 23 May 2022, Romanian authorities discovered wreckage of a Ukrainian Bayraktar TB2 bearing tail number 75 in Romanian waters. It is presumed this drone was shot down during the engagements around Snake Island on 7 May.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad nameCite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Lithuanian citizens collectively raised $3.2 million towards purchasing one Bayraktar TB2 drone for Ukraine on 28 May 2022; this amount covered part of its $5.37 million unit cost.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Subsequently, on 2 June, Baykar announced it would donate a Bayraktar TB2 to Lithuania free of charge and requested that Lithuanian funds be redirected to humanitarian aid for Ukraine.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
By late June since the conflict's onset, Ukraine had received over fifty TB2 drones. On 28 June, Defence Minister Reznikov declared that Baykar would dedicate its entire production capacity to satisfy Ukraine's demand for "dozens more" UAVs.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
In July 2022, Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of Baykar, affirmed in an interview that his company would never supply drones to Russia, expressing support for Ukraine's sovereignty and independence.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Continued deployment and susceptibility
At the onset of the conflict, Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, including the TB2, were effectively employed to disrupt Russian troops. However, by mid-2022, their impact in this capacity had diminished. Initially, Russian forces were sluggish in establishing adequate air defense systems due to disorganization; once these defenses were operational, the frequency of Ukrainian UAV shootdowns increased substantially. Beyond physical destruction, electronic warfare tactics were implemented to interfere with communication networks, likely prompting Ukraine to reduce TB2 deployment.
By late July 2022, a military analyst informed the BBC that Bayraktar drones' moderate speed and flight altitudes rendered them vulnerable targets for Russian air defense units, leading to numerous losses. Specific incidents include a TB2 bearing tail number U139 being downed in Belgorod Oblast, Russia, in late July 2022. Subsequently, on 2 August, another drone identified by call sign 409 was shot down within Ukraine. A few weeks later, on 2 September, debris from a Ukrainian TB2 was located in Kherson.
Confirmed visual assessments by July 2022 indicated that 14 Bayraktar TB2 units had been lost. On 15 January 2023, Russian electronic warfare systems successfully neutralized another TB2 drone. Later that month, on 22 January, wreckage of a destroyed TB2 was discovered near Odesa.
Lieutenant General Andrey Demin, commander of Russia's Air Defense Force, asserted in April 2023 that Russian forces had eliminated over 100 Bayraktar drones since hostilities commenced. Additionally, on 23 February 2023, a TB2 crashed in Kharkiv Oblast as a result of friendly fire. On 5 May 2023, Ukrainian authorities reported shooting down one of their own TB2 drones over Kyiv after losing control due to a probable technical fault; no injuries ensued from this event.
Further losses included a TB2 shot down near Marinka on 12 May 2023. By June of that year, the operational role of remaining Bayraktar drones shifted primarily toward reconnaissance missions. They operated beyond the reach of Russian air defense systems while utilizing advanced sensors and optics to coordinate other unmanned assets.
On 17 July 2023, another TB2 drone designated T 263 was destroyed by Russian forces in Kherson Oblast. Notably, on 3 September 2023, Ukraine released footage showing a KS-701 patrol boat being struck by a TB2 drone—marking the first confirmed offensive use of the drone in several months. Prior to this event, their function had largely been limited to reconnaissance and artillery targeting adjustments due to persistent Russian air defense threats. It is believed that Ukrainian attacks degrading Russian air defenses have enabled renewed offensive deployment of TB2 drones.
Nevertheless, as reported in late October 2023 by Colonel Volodymyr Valiukh of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, the use of TB2s has become infrequent and confined to brief reconnaissance tasks owing to increasingly sophisticated Russian electronic warfare and air defense capabilities. He remarked: "For the TB2, I don't want to use the word useless, but it is hard to find situations where to use them."
On 3 September 2025, a Ukrainian TB2 drone destroyed a Russian high-speed boat resulting in seven fatalities and four injuries among those aboard.
According to data compiled by the Oryx Blog as of 25 February 2025, a total of 26 Bayraktar TB2 drones have been lost—either destroyed on the ground or shot down during operations by Russian forces.
Ethiopia
Reports indicate that Ethiopian military forces have deployed the TB2 drones against the TPLF amid the Tigray War. Satellite imagery has confirmed the presence of TB2 UAVs at Harar Meda airbase, while remnants of MAM-L precision-guided munitions have been discovered within the Tigray area. On 7 January 2022, a drone strike utilizing a MAM-L missile—exclusively compatible with the TB2 drone—resulted in the deaths of nearly 60 civilians and caused injuries to many others at a camp for internally displaced persons in Dedebit, Tigray. Investigations recovered weapon fragments from the site, revealing internal components and screw patterns matching those of Turkish-made MAM-L munitions, confirming their use in this operation.
African insurgencies
In various regions across Africa, highly mobile Islamist militant groups conduct attacks by traversing scrubland terrain on motorcycles to target isolated military and civilian locations. While these assaults were primarily concentrated in the Sahel region, their geographic spread increased by 2019. The acquisition of drones has enhanced these nations’ capability for aerial reconnaissance and potential offensive operations against insurgent forces. Procuring drones from Turkey enables countries such as Niger and Togo to lessen reliance on their former colonial ruler, France.
2025 India-Pakistan conflict
According to statements from the Indian military, during Operation Sindoor on the nights of 8 and 9 May amid the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, every drone deployed by Pakistan—including Bayraktar TB2s—was neutralized by India’s indigenous Akashteer system. Indian defenses either intercepted these drones or prevented them from hitting intended targets. The majority of Byker drones were downed immediately upon entering Indian airspace, while several Bayraktar TB2 units were destroyed while still operating over Pakistani territory.
Bayraktar TB2S
In October 2020, Baykar's Chief Technology Officer Selçuk Bayraktar introduced an enhanced version of the TB2 drone, designated as TB2S. In a post shared on Bayraktar's Twitter account, the TB2S was shown featuring a distinctive bulge on its fuselage along with an antenna mounted on its nose to enable satellite communication (SATCOM). Unlike the original TB2 model, which relied on ground-based antennas for communication with the control station, the TB2S utilizes satellite links through TÜRKSAT satellites. This advancement significantly extends the operational control range beyond the 150–300 kilometres (93–186 mi) achievable by the base model. Additionally, the integration of SATCOM technology enhances resistance against enemy attempts to jam communications. The first flight of the SATCOM-equipped TB2S took place on 4 December 2020.
Bayraktar TB2T-AI
In February 2025, Baykar's CTO Selçuk Bayraktar revealed a new iteration of the TB2 drone via his official X account, accompanied by footage showcasing its inaugural flight. The updated model boasts several improvements, including:
- Turbocharged engine
- Redesigned aerodynamics featuring newly added winglets and horizontal stabilizers integrated into the inverted V-tail configuration of the TB2
- Three advanced artificial intelligence computing units
- Maximum speed of 160 knots (approximately 300 km/h)
- Enhanced maximum takeoff weight and payload capacity
- Operational ceiling exceeding 30,000 feet
- Climb rate to 30,000 feet in approximately 25 minutes
Operators
As of September 2023, the Bayraktar TB2 drone has been exported to 31 nations.[43] While some recipient countries remain undisclosed, the confirmed list includes:
Current operators
- File:Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey [2014][44]
- Turkish Land Forces – Operating over 200 TB2 units.[45]
- Turkish Naval Forces – Equipped with 10 TB2 drones.[46][47]
- Gendarmerie General Command – Operating 18 TB2s, primarily assigned to the Elazig Gendarmerie UAV unit.[48][49]
- Coast Guard Command – Equipped with six TB2 drones.[50]
- General Directorate of Security (Police) – The aviation division incorporated six TB2s in 2019, followed by three additional units in 2020 and another three in 2022.[51][52][53][54]
- Turkish National Intelligence Organization – Utilizes 86 TB2 drones within Turkish security forces, with an additional six units each deployed in Qatar and Ukraine.[55][56]
- Template:Country data Qatar [2019][44]
- Reconnaissance and Surveillance Center – Operating six drones.[57]
- Template:Country data Ukraine [2019][44]
- Ukrainian Air Force – Six drones currently operational, with an additional forty-eight ordered by 2020.[59] The exact number of active systems remains unclear.
- Ukrainian Navy – Ordered six units, with the first delivered in July 2021.[31][60][61] Four additional drones were planned for acquisition by late 2022.[62] The operational status of these systems is not publicly confirmed.
- Template:Country data Azerbaijan [2020][44]
- Confirmed deployment by the Azerbaijani Air Force.[63]
- Template:Country data Turkmenistan [2021][44]
- Utilized by the Turkmen Air Force.[64]
- Template:Country data Morocco [2021][44]
- The Moroccan Air Force ordered nineteen units.[65][66][67] The initial delivery occurred on September 21, 2021.[68]
- Template:Country data Ethiopia [2021][44]
- The Ethiopian Air Force placed an order for four units in August and received them by November of the same year.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Template:Country data Kyrgyzstan [2021][44]
- The State Border Guard Service of Kyrgyzstan ordered three drones, with deliveries underway.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Template:Country data Somalia [2021]<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Operated by the Somali Air Force.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Template:Country data Pakistan [2022]<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- The Pakistan Air Force has an undisclosed number of these drones. Evaluation took place mid-2021, with operational deployment commencing early in 2022.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Template:Country data Djibouti [2022]<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Employed by the Djibouti Air Force.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Template:Country data Burkina Faso [2022]<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- In service with the Burkina Faso Air Force.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Template:Country data Rwanda [2022]<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Deployed within the Rwandan Air Force.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Template:Country data Togo [2022]<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Utilized by the Togolese Armed Forces.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Template:Country data Tunisia [2022]<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Part of the inventory of the Tunisian Air Force.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Template:Country data Niger [2022]<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Six units delivered as of May 2022 for the Niger Air Force.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- File:Flag of Nigeria.svg Nigeria [2022]<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- The Nigerian Air Force operates an unspecified quantity, with forty-three additional drones ordered.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- File:Flag of Poland.svg Poland [2022]<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- The first NATO and EU nation to acquire these drones, ordering twenty-four in 2021 for its Polish Air Force.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs> Deliveries commenced in 2022 and all units were received by May 2024.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Template:Country data Mali [2022]<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- At least three drones delivered in 2022 with three more arriving in early 2023 for the Malian Air Force.<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
- Template:Country data United Arab Emirates [2022]<refs>Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).</refs>
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<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named GuardianRevealed<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named The Institute for the Study of War2020<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named OVD_2020<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :1<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named defenceturk-1<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named :3<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones enable swift, precise victory against YPG/PKK in Syria's Afrin<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Battle for Idlib: Turkey's drones and a new way of war<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named TURKEY’S DRONE WAR IN SYRIA – A RED TEAM VIEW<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Ukraine posts videos Business Insider 1<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named AlM<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Ukraine credits Turkish drones with eviscerating Russian tanks and armor in their first use in a major conflict<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named In three days, two Bayraktar drones destroy nearly $27 million of Russian hardware<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Bayraktar TB2 Videos Show New Wave Of Ukrainian Attacks Against Russian Forces On Snake Island<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named drive2may22<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Ukrainian TB2 struck Russian Mi-8 just as troops are disembarking<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named forbesorion<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Everything We Know About The Fighting That Has Erupted Between Armenia And Azerbaijan- The Bangladesh Army acquired six units in early 2023 and plans to procure an additional six. These drones will be stationed at army facilities near Chittagong’s Shah Amanat International Airport (Zahurul-Haque Air Base).
- Template:Country data Kosovo [2023]
- In May, Kosovo Security Forces received five Bayraktars following a contract signed seven months prior.
- File:Flag of Romania.svg Romania [2023]
- The Romanian Ministry of National Defence procured three systems totaling eighteen drones for $321 million in April. These are assigned to the Land Forces and based at the former RoAF 93rd Air Base. The first drone was showcased during Great Union Day celebrations on December 1, 2023.
- Template:Country data Albania [2024]
- Following a contract signed in December 22 between Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar and Prime Minister Edi Rama, Albania took delivery of three drones by March 24, which are now stationed at Kuçovë Air Base.
- Template:Country data Maldives [2024]
- The Maldives National Defence Force operates six Bayraktars.
- Template:Country data Kenya [2024]
- Kenyan Armed Forces received six units after training their operators at Baykar Flight Training Center in Keşan, Turkey. Drones were identified within a Kenyan military hangar displaying national insignia.
- Template:Country data Kuwait [2025]
- Kuwait unveiled its first Bayraktar drone during a July ceremony attended by Defense Minister Sheikh Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Sabah and senior military officials. In a $370 million export deal signed in early 23, Kuwait secured these systems for its armed forces.
- Template:Country data Bosnia [2025]
- Bosnia and Herzegovina received two donated drones from Turkey in June 25 as part of military aid; these serve within Bosnian armed forces.
- File:Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia [2025]
- On November 21, 24 Croatia contracted Turkish manufacturer Baykar Makina for six Bayrakters valued at €67 million. This fleet became fully operational by late September 25 under the Croatian Air Force.
Prospective Operators
- Template:Country data Iraq [Unconfirmed]
- Iraqi Armed Forces – During a televised announcement, the Iraqi defense minister revealed plans for Iraq to procure TB2 drones along with T129 ATAK attack helicopters. An order for eight drones has been placed.[1][2][3]
- File:Flag of Japan.svg Japan [Unconfirmed]
- Japan Self-Defense Forces – Included in the defense budget for 2023, these drones are slated for trial deployment by the Ground Self-Defense Force.[4]
Bayraktar TB2 Specifications
The following details pertain to the Bayraktar TB2 (excluding the TB2S variant) as provided by Baykar Defence.[6][7]
Basic Features
- Crew: None onboard; operated by a team of three at the ground control station
- Length: 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
- Wingspan: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)
- Maximum takeoff weight: 700 kg (1,540 lb)
- Payload capacity: 150 kg (331 lb)
- Engine: Single 100 hp (75 kW) Rotax 912 iS internal combustion engine with fuel injection (planned upgrade to BM100 domestically produced engine)
- Propeller type: Two-blade variable-pitch
- Fuel volume: 300 litres (79 US gal)
- Fuel type: Gasoline
Performance
- Top speed: 120 knots (222 km/h)
- Cruising velocity: 70 knots (130 km/h)
- Operational range:
- Communication distance: line-of-sight propagation, under 300 kilometres (186 mi)
- Maximum service altitude: 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
- Typical operating altitude: 18,000 ft (5,486 m)
- Flight endurance: 27 hours[8]
Armaments
- Equipped with four hardpoints capable of mounting various armament combinations including:
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- MAM series: MAM-C and MAM-L laser-guided precision smart bombs[9][10]Cite error: The opening
Avionics
- Modular EO/IR/LD imaging and targeting sensor suites or Multi-Mode AESA Radar options include:
- Garmin GNC 255A navigation and communication transceiver
- ASELSAN’s ANTIDOT series pods, comprising:
- ANTIDOT 2-U/S electronic support pod capable of detecting, identifying, and pinpointing enemy radar emissions. This pod operates with a power draw of 300 W, compatible with tactical UAVs and UCAVs.
- ANTIDOT 2-U LB/MB/HB mini electronic warfare pod.
- ANTIDOT 3-U mini electronic warfare pod designed to counter UAV data links and GNSS signals.
See also
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References
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- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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External links
- Turkey sets new national record for the longest drone flight
- Baykar Aerospace Industries Archived 17 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- Documentary on Baykar’s Research Activities
- Technical Brochure for Bayraktar Block B
- Preliminary Design Review Documentary of Bayraktar Block B / May 2012
- Maiden Flight of Bayraktar Block B / 29 April 2014
- Endurance Record Flight of Bayraktar Block B / 5–6 August 2014
- Altitude Record Flight of Bayraktar Block B / 14 June 2014
- Pages with reference errors
- Pages using duplicate arguments in template calls
- Pages with script errors
- Webarchive template wayback links
- Articles with short description
- Pages with broken file links
- Commons category link from Wikidata
- Bayraktar TB2
- Baykar Bayraktar family
- 2010s Turkish military aircraft
- Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles
- Low-wing aircraft
- Twin-boom aircraft
- V-tail aircraft
- Single-engined pusher aircraft
- Military equipment of the Russian invasion of Ukraine