The Bayraktar Tactical Block 2 (TB-2) is an uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed and produced by private Turkish defence company, Baykar.
The Bayraktar TB-2’s rise to prominence is an underdog story not unlike the Ukrainian resistance fighters the Turkish drone came to embody in early 2022.
The success of the Turkish drone has elevated the reputation of Turkey’s self-sustained arms industry. On the international market, Turkish drones now offer a cost-effective alternative to American and Chinese systems for cash strapped nations.
In the spring of 2022, Ukrainian operated Bayraktar TB-2 captured the world’s attention as grainy drone feeds broadcast the destruction of Russia’s offensive on Kyiv, but that’s not the first use of the platform. The story of the TB-2, however, begins over a decade earlier in 2009. Embroiled in a counter-insurgency against the PPK, Turkey requested to purchase the American-made MQ-9 Reaper drone. By 2012, the Turkish bid for the desperately needed drones had stalled in congress. [source] Consequently, Turkey set out on its own path, tasking its emerging defence industry by developing an indigenous strike drone.
In 2022, over a decade later, the United States described Turkish drone exports as “destabilising” and a “human rights concern” [source]. The US’ attempt to restrict the export of killer drones had failed and instead had had the opposite effect. US export restrictions have enabled Turkey to carve out its own niche in the drone market by selling to nations previously blacklisted by the US. TB-2 sales are not only emblematic of Turkey’s rising military-industrial complex but also Ankara’s growing foreign policy ambitions.
This article will explore the rise of the TB-2 and how it has enabled Turkey to expand its influence far beyond Ukraine.
1.0 Development
1.1 American Rejection
During the 2000s, Turkey was reliant on foreign built UAVs to conduct counter-insurgency operations against the PPK. In 2005, Turkey signed a $185 million deal to purchase IAI Heron drones from Israel, phasing out the Turkish fleet of American bought GNAT 750s [source]. By 2012, the IAI Heron proved, however, to be unreliable with Turkey accusing Israel of not upholding their end of the agreement and correctly maintaining the drone [source]. At this moment, Turkey turned back to the United States. A leaked 2009 US diplomatic cable, reveals that Turkey requested to purchase MQ-9 Reapers [source]. However, even with US diplomatic and intelligence support for Turkey’s counter-insurgency, Congress hindered Turkey’s attempt to purchase the MQ-9 Reaper and ultimately prevented it in 2012 [source]. US rejection and Israeli unreliability encouraged Turkey to invest in an indigenous drone, free from the whims of foreign legislatures.
1.2 Birth of the TB-2
By 2012, Turkey was not entirely new to the drone industry. In 2006, Baykar produced the Bayraktar mini-UAV, a cheap, low altitude, low endurance surveillance drone [source]. On the other end of the drone spectrum, in 2004, Turkish Aerospace Industries began developing the more expensive medium altitude, long endurance, TAI Anka.
The demand for a new drone system would therefore need to marry the cost effectiveness of Baykar’s design with the strike capabilities and endurance of the TAI Anka. In 2009, Kale-Baykar, a joint venture between Kale Group and Baykar, delivered the TB-1, a prototype medium-altitude long-endurance drone. In December 2011, Kale-Baykar signed an agreement with the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries to begin serial production of the drone under the name Bayraktar TB-2. The TB-2 completed its first flight in April 2014 and by June 2015, twelve of the drones had been delivered to the Turkish armed forces. [source]
In 2024, Defense Aerospace estimated that Baykar has likely sold over 500 units to 32 countries. [source]
1.3 The Appeal of Turkish Drones
The demand for Turkey’s drones is firstly driven by their relative affordability. TB-2 cost around $5 million per unit, a fraction of $20 million per unit of its American competitor, the MQ-9 Reaper. Although the TB-2 is less capable than the high-altitude Reaper, it can handle more dangerous operations where there is a risk of it getting shot down [source]. Both China and Iran produce cheaper drones than the TB-2 for export, but they’re considered far less reliable. Moreover, the drone has demonstrated its effectiveness in combat, receiving heavy positive media coverage in Ukraine.
The appeal goes beyond the TB2s capabilities. Turkey’s export strategy indicates a relatively open approach, with minimal concern for how they use their drones. Having fallen foul of US export restrictions themselves, Turkey now sells their drones to governments with questionable human rights records. In December 2021, the US stated their “profound humanitarian concerns” with Turkish sales of TB2s to Ethiopia, which likely contravened US restrictions. [source]
2.0 Design and Specifications
2.1 Fuselage
The Bayraktar TB-2 has a blended wing body design with an inverted V-tail structure. A two-blade propeller at the rear powers the platform. The engineers constructed the fuselage mainly using carbon fibre and Kevlar, with aluminum being utilised only for the joints. [source]
Fuselage Specifications [source]:
Height – 2.2 m
Wingspan – 12 m
Length – 6.5 m
Maximum Takeoff Weight – 700 kg
2.2 Engine and Fuel Storage
The TEI PD170 engine designed by Turkish company Tusas Engine Industries powers the TB-2. [source] Specially designed for medium altitude long endurance (MALE) aircraft, the PD170 enables the TB-2 to travel at speeds up to 120 knots (138mph). Two 150 litre fuel bladders in each of the wings store fuel for the engine. [source] Fuel bladders enable aircraft to store fuel in unused areas and mitigate the weight transfer issues caused by “sloshing”. [source]
Engine and Fuel Storage Specifications [source]:
Thrust Type – 105 HP Internal Combustion Engine
Fuel Type – Diesel
Max Air Speed – 120 knots (138 mph)
Maximum Operational Altitude – 18,000 to 25,000 feet
Maximum Flight Endurance – 27 hours
2.3 Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Capabilities
On the underside of the Bayraktar TB-2 platform is the Aselsan CAT FLIR, a multi-sensor, multi-imaging system designed by Turkish company Aselsan. The Aselsan CAT FLIR is capable of high definition imaging and 24/7 surveillance, being equipped with thermal, daylight, low-light and infrared cameras. [source] An onboard laser designator also enables the TB-2 to perform target acquisition missions. [source]
The Baykar Real Time Imagery Transmission System (BGAM) is a web-based application that allows operators and commanders to watch a live broadcast of the TB-2s video feed. The application is accessible on tablets and mobile phones via secure networks. [source]
“BGAM allows high-resolution, non-delay live broadcasts to be monitored by multiple users at the same time … The system automatically stores all transmitted imagery into 30-minute files. While monitoring live imagery, users can take multi-tag notes on the system.” The BGAM system described on Baykar’s website.
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2.4 Strike Capabilities: Munitions
The TB-2 has a payload capacity of 150kg which typically consists of four ROKETSAN lightweight Smart Micro Munitions. [source] The Turkish-made ROKETSAN munitions come in two variants, MAM-L and MAM-C. The MAM-L variant counters heavy and armoured targets, while the MAM-C variant is intended for more lightly armoured targets and anti-personnel missions. Both munitions use a laser guidance system to guide them onto their targets [source] [source].
MAM-L Smart Micro Munition Specifications [source]:
Diameter – 160 mm
Length – 1000 mm
Weight – 22 kg
Range – 15 km
Guidance – Laser Seeking
Warhead Type – Armour piercing High Explosive Blast Fragmentation, Thermobaric
Target Type – Main Battle Tanks, Light Armoured Vehicles, Personnel
MAM-C Smart Micro Munition Specifications [source]:
Diameter – 70 mm
Length – 970 mm
Weight – 6.5 kg
Range – 8 km
Guidance – Laser Seeking
Warhead Type – High Explosive Blast Fragmentation
Target Type – Light Armour/ unarmoured vehicles, Personnel
3.0 The Foreign Component Controversy
Turkey builds the Bayraktar TB-2 drone, incorporating a mix of domestic and foreign sources for its parts. In 2016, an article in the Janes Defence Review revealed that American company Harris had supplied the Hornet bomb rack used on the TB-2 [source]. Despite US efforts to curb Turkey’s access to drone technology in 2010 and 2012 , the United States sixth largest defence contractor was now providing direct assistance to Turkey’s drone development. A series of further investigations on downed TB-2 drones revealed parts from Canada (MX-15D imaging camera), Austria (Rotax 912 engine) and Britain (Andair fuel systems). [source]
In 2020, Canada voiced concerns about the diversion of their technology to Azerbaijan without Ottawa’s permission. [source] In 2021 and 2022, L3 Harris and Rotax respectively banned the export of their parts for use in Baykar’s TB-2. However, owing to growth and resilience of the Turkish arms industry, Bayar were able to fall back on indigenous replacements from Aselsan and Tusas Engine Industries. Pre-2020 buyers of the TB-2 such as Ukraine, Poland and Turkmenistan have refused to use the Turkish replacement. Citing the heavier weight of Aselsan’s CAT FLIR, Ukrainian TB-2s continue to use Wescam MX-15D. [source]
4.0 Operational History
4.1 Turkey: Use in Syria and Iraq
Since 2017, Turkey has deployed the TB-2 in Syria and Iraq against the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) and People Protection Unit (YPG). The TB2 has been a game changer for Turkey’s internal and cross border counter-insurgency operations. The PPK has long taken refuge in the Zagros mountains, setting up training camps in hard to reach areas for Turkey’s forces. Prior to the TB-2, Turkey conducted surveillance using unarmed American and Israeli drones from the 1990s and 2000s. Besides lacking a strike capability, these drones lacked the camera quality and range of the later TB-2. [source]
“The deployment of Turkish-made Bayraktar TB-2 drones since 2017 has proven a game changer for Ankara, providing both armed overwatch for Turkish forces and enabling the targeted killing of higher-ranking PKK figures in hard-to-reach terrain in Turkey’s south east and northern Iraq.” Berkay Mandıracı, Crisis Group, 2022.
[source]
On 27 February 2020, the Syrian Armed Forces killed 34 Turkish soldiers in an air raid. Turkey rapidly responded by launching a coordinated drone and missile strikes. The TB-2 was crucial to the operation fulfilling a variety of roles in the retaliation:
- Target Designation – Spotting for Turkish long range artillery strikes
- Air Strikes – Striking Syrian tanks and light armoured vehicles
- Overwhelming Air Defences – Swarming and destroying Syrian air defence systems
Over the course of the operation, Oryx reported Turkey destroyed 37 tanks (including T-72 and T-62), nine Infantry Fighting vehicles, 26 Self Propelled Artillery and 10 Air Defence Systems. Oryx has confirmed that 82 percent of the 96 Syrian heavy vehicles destroyed during the operation can be attributed to TB-2 air strikes.
4.2 Libya – Government of National Accord
Between 2014 and 2020, the Libyan Civil War came to represent a drone proxy war. From 2016, the Libyan National Army (LNA) had been operating 15 Wing Loong drones purchased from China and provided by the UAE and Saudi Arabia. [source] The LNA’s allies also provided 350 Chinese Blue Arrow 7 missiles for the Wing Loong despite a strict UN embargo on arms to Libya. [source]
In 2019, the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) purchased 20 TB-2 Bayraktar drones from Turkey. [source] Turkish President Erdogan is a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood faction within the GNA. [source] In December 2019, Turkey made the decision to significantly ramp up military aid to the GNA. The provision of Turkish air defences enabled the GNA to freely operate the TB-2 from Mitiga air base, Tripoli. In 2020, the TB-2 played an important role in the GNA lightning offensive, which culminated in the capture of Al-Watiya airbase. [source]
4.3 Azerbaijan – Nagorno-Karabakh
In September 2020, Turkey provided Azerbaijan with 24 Bayraktar TB-2 when hostilities broke out in the Nagorno-Karabakh region [source]. During the 44-day operation, Baku successfully recaptured the Armenian occupied province of Nagorno Karabakh. The TB-2 was crucial to unlocking the frozen conflict between the two former Soviet Republics.
“Several factors help explain Azerbaijan’s military victory, but two of them are considered by observers to be ‘magic bullets:’ the substantial role of the UAVs supplied by Turkey and Israel, and Turkish senior military personnel’s advisory role in Azerbaijan’s operational plans and command.” Hülya Kınık and Sinem Çelik, Insight Turkey, 2021.
[source]
In 2020, Oryx reported that Azerbaijani TB-2s destroyed a total of 380 tanks, IFVs, artillery pieces and air defence systems during the 44 day operation. [source]
In April 2023, Baykar signed an agreement to construct Baykar drones in Azerbaijan. [source] Following the success of the TB-2 in 2020, the Turkish defence industry now has a powerful position in Azerbaijan, unseating Israel as Baku’s main drone provider. [source]
4.4 Ukraine
In 2019, Ukraine purchased 6 TB-2s and agreed to begin co-producing the Turkish drones in Ukraine. The “Turkish-Ukrainian Bayraktar”, as it was dubbed, was to use Ukrainian engines produced by Motor Sich. [source][source] By February 2022, reports from various media sources suggest Ukraine had between 50 and 70 Turkish and Ukrainian TB-2s. [source] [source]
In October 2021, Ukraine deployed the TB-2 for the first time in the Donbas to conduct reconnaissance and limited strike missions. [source] The TB-2 strikes angered Moscow with Putin declaring the appearance of the Turkish drones a “provocative activity” in a phone call to President Erdogan. [source]
In 2022, when Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine, the TB-2 experienced tremendous initial success. In the early stages of the war, Russia’s air defences were disorganised and ill-prepared to counter drone threats. Ukrainian TB-2s were free to harass Russia’s 35 mile long convoy that led into Kyiv. [source] Grainy video feeds from TB-2s were broadcast around the globe and came to represent not only Ukrainian resistance but the nature of modern warfare. Turkey and Baykar could not have asked for a better advertisement.
As frontlines stabilised in the summer of 2022, Russia organised its air defence and the slow flying TB-2 became easy prey. Once hailed as “life giving” and Ukraine’s saviour, the TB-2 now rarely engages in strike missions in Ukraine. [source]
[source]
“Currently, the Bayraktar TB-2s are mainly used to conduct daily flights to track the targets, which can be as valuable as attacking,” Bayraktar said in 2022. “TB-2s don’t attack unless they figure out open windows, no need to be an easy target for Russian air defense systems. This is the same for any other flying platform such as fighter jets, helicopters et cetera unless it is an affordable, low-cost mini drone,”
4.5 Other Notable Sales
Since 2021, Ethiopia have used Bayraktar TB-2s in the Tigray War. In May 2023, Janes reported that Ethiopian government forces were operating at least four TB-2s. [source] TB-2 sales to Ethiopia have been controversial with neither governments making public announcements. In January 2022, an Ethiopian TB-2 was used to strike a displaced people’s camp in the Tigray region. The airstrike killed 59 civilians. [source]
In January 2024, Mali purchased 17 Bayraktar TB-2. [source] Since 2022, a series of Sahel states have purchased TB-2s to strike back against Islamic terrorists in the region. Politically, the purchase of the Turkish TB-2 has allowed Togo, Niger and Burkina Faso to appear less reliant on their former colonial overlord France for their security.[source]
In March 2024, the Maldives purchased 6 Bayraktar TB-2 drones in a deal worth $37 million. [source] The Maldives made the purchase amid growing tension with India. In November 2023, newly elected Maldivian President Mohammed Miuzzu called for Indian troops to leave the Maldives.
5.0 Conclusion
In English, Bayraktar translates literally as “standard bearer” or “flag bearer”. The Bayraktar TB-2 has very much lived up to its name by embodying Turkey’s ambitious foreign policy and building the credibility. The success of the Turkish military-industrial complex has cemented Turkey as a cornerstone of the NATO alliance, remedying western criticism of the country’s slide into authoritarianism. In Ukraine, Turkey has branded themselves as the protectors and alternative arsenal of Western democracy. Ironically, they have simultaneously sold the TB-2 drones to autocratic regimes in Africa.
In little over a decade, Turkey has gone from reliant on foreign drones to a major exporter of high quality drone technology.
In 2024, the TB-3 is expected to enter into service with the Turkish military. The Medium Altitude Long Endurance drone is capable of landing on aircraft carriers being equipped with folding wings. The TB-3 will be deployed on the TCG Anadolu, a Turkish amphibious assault ship. Originally, Turkey planned to use the F-35B Lightning II. However following the purchase of Russian S-400 air defence systems, the US removed Turkey from the F-35 programme. Once again the TB-3 has demonstrated that Turkey’s arms self-reliance affords them greater freedom in foreign affairs.
