First NATO Country to Purchase Turkish UAVs

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Poland is the first NATO country to buy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Turkey. Polish Defense Ministry signed a contract with Turkish Baykar for 24 Bayraktar TB2 armed UAVs. Under the deal, Poland will receive four UAVs with six UAVs with laser-guided MAM-L thermobaric and MAM–C high-explosive Smart Micro Munitions, as well as training munitions from Roketsan. 

The contract also includes mobile ground-control stations (GCSs), synthetic aperture radars, simulators, spare parts, logistic support, and a training package. The Polish Ministry of National Defense (MND) valued each UAS at $67 million.

The first batch of four UAVs is expected to be delivered in 2022 and all systems by the end of 2024. There will be a 24-month warranty on the UAVs.

The UAVs are being purchased off-the-shelf without a tender procedure. Their tactical ISTAR capabilities will partially meet the Polish MND’s Orlik short-range tactical and Gryf armed UAV program requirements. Orlik is expected to be used at the brigade level and Gryf at the division level armed with guided munitions. Both systems were scheduled to be delivered by 2022, but due to changes in Polish procurement priorities the whole process was delayed, according to janes.com.