[ad_1]
Turkish defense firm Baykar recently delivered armed drones to the United Arab Emirates, according to Reuters, confirming that the former “rival” has now bridged the divide.
According to two Turkish officials Talk to Reutersthe UAE has already procured 20 drones this month, with more expected to be purchased.
After successful deployment in multiple conflicts, the demand for Turkish drones in the international market has increased dramatically. A Turkish combat drone has made global headlines for destroying Russian weapons and destroying hundreds of its armored vehicles in the ongoing Ukrainian war.
Turkish drones, equipped with laser-guided armor-piercing projectiles, have been successfully used in conflicts in Syria, Ukraine and Libya (in which UAE-backed forces are also involved).
The report also said that senior Turkish officials acknowledged that Ankara had sent drones to the UAE, but the UAE was looking for more.
The latest development comes just days after it was released report The United Arab Emirates is in talks to buy 120 TB2 drones from Turkish drone maker Baykar. Ankara and Abu Dhabi settled last year amid rising regional security threats from Iran and its proxies.
In November 2021, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) traveled to Ankara, marking an important step towards solving the problem. Thereafter, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan travelled to the UAE in mid-February.
Meanwhile, experts believe that the prospect of Gulf investment flows and foreign exchange aid has been the main goal of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political reconciliation.
UAE businesses intend to invest billions of dollars in Turkish companies.Earlier this year, Turkey and Abu Dhabi agree $5 billion in currency swaps. The two countries have also started negotiations on a free trade agreement.
The UAE has witnessed drone strikes on its oil facilities and cities believed to have been carried out by Iranian-backed forces. Another Gulf state, Saudi Arabia, faces similar challenges as Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Riyadh is in talks with Ankara to buy Baykar’s Bayraktar TB2 drone, one of the sources said. Saudi Arabia also wants to build a production facility, the sources said.
Turkish drone demand grows
According to reports, Bekal can supply TB2s are sold in 22-24 countries, and the company’s chief executive, Haluk Bayraktar, estimated earlier this month that exports will account for almost all of the company’s revenue this year.
The company has built more than 400 TB2s and is now working to increase its capacity, which it hopes to do partly through a factory in Ukraine.
Baykar’s CEO has previously stated that the company is currently capable of producing nearly 200 Bayraktar TB2s per year. However, the company now plans to increase production to 500 units.
The company’s only other production facility outside Turkey is currently under construction in Ukraine. Nonetheless, thanks to the Bayraktar TB2 drone, Turkey’s military export industry is booming.
In August, CEO Haluk Bayraktar said the company is currently producing 20 Bayraktar TB2 drones a month, with orders full for the next three years.
“Many countries and regions are asking for armed drones,” a senior Turkish official told Reuters. “Some of the countries that bought them are making additional demands. They are very happy with the results…but technically, it’s not possible. All needs are met.”
According to Reuters, Turkish drones are cheaper and have fewer export restrictions.Although they can’t compete with U.S. and Israeli drones, they can outperform Chinese or Iranian drones used by Russia in Ukraine.
“The Iranian drones Shahed and Muhajir have some of the characteristics of TB2, but do not have the real-time processing and accuracy of TB2,” the report quoted a source as saying. “The Saudis and the UAE want to undermine the effectiveness of Iranian drones. If They get TB2 and they will be able to stop the flow of Iranian drones.”
The latest report suggests that military cooperation between the UAE and Turkey is expanding. It also points to the growing popularity of Turkish drones, which could lead to more international orders for the country’s defense industry.
[ad_2]
Source link