Turkish Military Enhances its Armed Drones Fleet

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The Turkish military took delivery of eight Bayraktar armed and reconnaissance drones, four of which are capable of carrying ‘smart ammunition.’

The number of Turkey-made Bayraktar armed and reconnaissance drones in the Turkish security forces has increased to 38 after eight new deliveries. The timing of the delivery was not disclosed.

According to defenseworld.net, the Istanbul-based Baykar has delivered the “TB2” model Bayraktar armed drones to the military. Four of the drones can carry the “Smart Micro Munition,” developed by domestic company, Roketsan.

According to Rokestan website, the munition’s laser seeker provides precision accuracy and effectiveness against stationary and moving targets. Possible targets for the blast fragmentation warhead include light structures, ground vehicles, radar antennas and anti-personnel at 25 m radius. The maximum range is 8 km depending on launch altitude.

Some 26 of the Bayraktar TB2s are used by the Turkish Armed Forces, while the police and gendarmerie forces have six drones each. The number of Bayraktar TB2s in the inventory in armed configuration is 15.

The operational flight duration of the drones reach 30,000 hours and can carry loads up to 100 kilograms.

The Bayraktar drones are widely used in the Turkish army’s counter-terrorism operations.

Some 986 militants inside the country and 867 abroad were “neutralized” in 562 operations backed by drones and manned reconnaissance aircraft in the first nine months of the year.