Bayrakdar TB2 UCAV, source: ssb.gov.tr
On May 22, the Ministry of Defense of Poland announced that it would purchase 24 Bayraktar TB2 combat drones from Turkey.
“The Polish military will be equipped with modern equipment, with Bayraktar TB2 which have a striking force and have proven themselves in the wars in the east of our continent. They were also used in Africa,” the ministry said on Twitter.
The deal was also confirmed by Poland’s Defense Minister, Mariusz Blaszczak, who praised the Turkish-made drone in a statement to the Polish Press Agency, PAP.
“This is a real weapon. It proved itself in wars in the east of Europe. It was also used in the Middle East,” the minister said.
Previously, on May 19, Polish Defense Minister published a photo, showing a Bayraktar TB2 UAV model with the emblem of the Polish Air Force.
Już wkrótce dobre informacje… stay tuned! pic.twitter.com/UxQT0RtRjf
— Mariusz Błaszczak (@mblaszczak) May 19, 2021
The drone deal will likely be signed next week during Poland’s President Andrzej Duda’s visit to Turkey. Poland is expected to receive its first Bayraktar TB2 next year.
This will be Turkey’s first sale of Bayraktar TB2 drones to one of its NATO allies.
Click to see full-size image.
Developed by Turkey’s Baykar, the Bayraktar TB2 entered service in Turkey in 2014. Since then, the drone has been exported to Qatar, Libya, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Morocco. The drone saw action in Syria, Libya, Iraq and the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The deal is meant to boost the capabilities of the Polish military, which is lacking when it comes to unmanned aerial systems. The Bayraktar TB2 will provide reconnaissance and combat capabilities.
