New Delhi: It was in the 1990s, when Turkey, which was called the sick country of Europe, expressed its desire to buy foreign UAVs like the Israeli Heron. Then Israel had said that it will give the drone to Türkiye, but it will be operated by Israeli pilots. This thing then hurt Turkey. Because of this, Turkey started developing its own drone. To reduce foreign dependence on military drones, it created its own drone industry. Now this Turkey has done wonders. It has gone miles ahead of many countries of the world in terms of military drones. Let us know the story of this rejuvenation of Türkiye.
America moved ahead by defeating China and Israel
America’s Center for a New American Security (CNAS) recently released a report, which said that Turkey has overtaken world leaders like America, China and Israel in terms of drone technology and supply. This act of Türkiye has shocked the world. Since 2018, Türkiye, China and the US have jointly sold 69 armed drones to 40 countries.
Türkiye’s share in military drone market is amazing
Turkey alone accounts for 65 percent of all military drones sold in the world, with China accounting for 26 percent and the US trailing behind with only 8 percent. Experts say that Turkey has focused on promoting its domestic defense industry, due to which Turkey has become the leader in the market of military drones.
Israel had once refused to provide technology
A major reason behind developing advanced UAV drones was America and Israel’s refusal to provide technology. America and Israel had once imposed restrictions on Türkiye in providing military drones. Sometimes his request was rejected. After this Turkey decided that it would make drones itself. Initially it made drones for reconnaissance, surveillance and fire fighting.
Why is the demand for Turkish military drones increasing in the world?
The demand for Turkish attack drones is increasing all over the world because Turkish drones are cheap and fast delivered. Turkish drones have good firepower. These drones are being used in many countries like Ukraine, Libya, Iraq, Syria, Azerbaijan. Moreover, the success rate of Turkish drones is quite high. Missiles can also be installed in these and they hit accurately.
Have flown more than 7.5 lakh hours
TB2 was first used by the Turkish Army in 2014. This Turkish attack drone had flown more than 7,50,000 hours by the end of 2023. They can fly high and long in the sky of any country.
Can sink ships loaded with ammunition in the sea
Turkish military drones are equipped with advanced sensors. They can carry a large payload of ammunition. Bayraktar TB3 drones and other uncrewed delivery systems such as Kizillema also serve in suicide missions against fighter aircraft and ships laden with ammunition.
Bayraktar TB2 used in Azerbaijan and Armenia war
Türkiye’s dominance in the global drone market is due to the success of its defense companies. These include Byker, Rocketson and Aselsan, which have played important roles in the country’s military drone development. Baykar’s Bayraktar TB2 has become a symbol of Türkiye’s drone expertise. This drone was used in the Karabakh war between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Ukraine is giving a befitting reply to Russia with Turkish drones
In addition to the TB2, Baykar’s Akinci drone is a more advanced, high-altitude UAV and has captured Turkey’s market as a manufacturer of advanced drones. Ukraine has given a befitting reply to Russia with the help of Türkiye’s advanced drones. Russia is also very worried about this, because it has not been able to find its solution yet.
These three Turkish companies built an empire
Rocketson specializes in weapons integration for missile systems and drones. Meanwhile, Aselsan is focused on advanced avionics, communications and electronic warfare systems that enhance UAV capabilities. Together with Baykar, these companies made Turkey a leader in the production of high-tech drone systems for military use.
Erdogan’s son-in-law runs a drone company
Istanbul-based drone manufacturing company Baykar is run by brothers Haluk and Selcuk Bayraktar. In which Bayraktar is married to the daughter of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. The company was founded by his father Ozdemir in the 1980s and began focusing on drones in 2005.
Türkiye’s picture will change from 2022
When six countries entered the drone market for the first time in 2022, they all decided to acquire Baykar’s Bayraktar TB2, strengthening Turkey’s dominance. Turkey’s Akinci is a new generation drone with greater payload capacity and advanced sensors, reinforcing Turkey’s growing influence in military technology. This has also increased its international influence.
After 2000, a decision of Türkiye made it a leader
There was a time when Türkiye met all its drone needs from foreign suppliers. But, in the early 2000s, the Turkish government took a major decision, resolving to develop its own military drones. At that time the development of mini drones, tactical drones, attack drones and radar systems started. Now Türkiye is making it on its own.
Türkiye overtakes China in 2021
Türkiye’s drone exports have seen tremendous growth since overtaking China in 2021. Baykar has exported 83 percent of its production since the early 2000s. It exported drones worth $1.8 billion in 2022. The era of US and Israeli dominance in the drone market is over. Cost-effective alternatives from Türkiye, China and Iran have given way.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Ayla Keskin, UAV Technology Expert
Time.news Editor (E): Good morning, Dr. Keskin! Thank you for joining us today to discuss Turkey’s remarkable journey in drone technology. It’s fascinating how the nation’s ambitions spiraled from wanting to import technology to becoming a world leader in military drones.
Dr. Ayla Keskin (K): Good morning! It’s my pleasure to be here. Yes, Turkey’s transformation in the drone sector is truly impressive and reflects a resilient shift towards self-reliance in defense technologies.
E: Turkey’s initial attempts in the 1990s to procure Israeli drones ended in disappointment. How did that pivotal moment set the stage for the development of its own drone industry?
K: That moment was crucial. When Israel proposed that their drones could only be operated by Israeli pilots, it ignited a strong reaction in Turkey. It highlighted their vulnerability and dependence on foreign technology. This spurred a national initiative to innovate and develop an indigenous drone industry, leading to the impressive advancements we’ve seen today.
E: And it seems the push to create a domestic industry has paid off. According to recent reports, Turkey now holds a staggering 65% share of the global military drone market. What do you attribute this success to?
K: One of the main factors is Turkey’s commitment to enhancing its domestic defense industry. By investing in innovative technologies and promoting local companies like Baykar, Rocketson, and Aselsan, Turkey has been able to create drones that are not just effective but also economically priced. Their rapid delivery times and reliability have made Turkish drones very attractive to buyers around the world.
E: Absolutely! The affordability and quick deployment of Turkish drones have contributed to their rise in demand internationally. What can you say about their performance in conflict zones like Ukraine, Syria, and Libya?
K: Turkish drones have proven to be game-changers in various conflicts. Their high success rates and capability to carry out precise strikes have made them indispensable tools in warfare. In Ukraine, for example, the use of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones has been pivotal in countering Russian forces. The effectiveness of these drones has not only enhanced Turkey’s reputation but also altered the dynamics on the battlefield.
E: Beyond combat, how versatile are these drones in terms of their operational capabilities?
K: Very versatile! For instance, Turkish drones like the TB2 are utilized not only for direct attacks but also for reconnaissance and surveillance. They’re equipped with advanced sensors allowing them to gather intelligence and coordinate operations effectively. This multi-role capability makes them invaluable for modern military operations.
E: You mentioned the importance of several Turkish defense companies in this journey. Can you elaborate on their contributions to the drone technology landscape?
K: Certainly! Baykar, for instance, has been at the forefront with the TB2 and the more advanced Akinci drones. Rocketson focuses on integrating advanced weapon systems, while Aselsan specializes in sophisticated avionics, communications, and electronic warfare systems. Together, these companies have created a robust ecosystem that empowers Turkey to lead in high-tech UAV systems.
E: It’s clear that strategic vision and cooperation among these companies have been key factors in this growth. How do you foresee the future of Turkey in the global drone market?
K: Turkey is likely to maintain and expand its position. The continuous improvements in technology and the focus on exports will keep driving its growth. Other countries, especially those looking for reliable and affordable drone systems, will increasingly turn to Turkey. However, to ensure sustainability, Turkey will need to keep innovating and possibly address any geopolitical challenges that could arise.
E: Thank you, Dr. Keskin, for sharing your insights into Turkey’s drone technology evolution. It’s truly fascinating to watch its emergence as a global leader in this domain.
K: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure to discuss this significant topic. The story of Turkey’s drones is indeed one of resilience and innovation.