Rising European demand for Turkish combat drones, says manufacturer

KIELCE, Poland

The demand for combat drones such as Türkiye's Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar Akinci has risen across Europe in the wake of Russia's war in Ukraine, said the drone manufacturing company's CEO.

On the sidelines of a military fair MSPO 2022 in Kielce, Poland, Haluk Bayraktar told Anadolu Agency that Baykar is holding discussions with various countries for its combat drones.

Bayraktar asserted that Türkiye is participating at the fair as a "leader country" with 26 defense firms.

He further said Baykar is working on an order placed by Poland for four Bayraktar TB2 in May 2021.

"There are customizations on Bayraktar TB2 for Poland, there are also new developments requested, there are differences in parts such as data link systems, radar payloads," he said, adding that the deliveries will start next month.

He said agreements have been reached with 24 countries for TB2 and four countries for Akinci.

*Writing by Gokhan Ergocun in Istanbul