Commercial successes of the unmanned aerial complex Bayraktar TB2

General view of the UAV Bayraktar TB2. Baykar Savunma Graphics

The most famous development of Turkey in the field of weapons and military equipment at the moment is the Bayraktar TB2 reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Baykar Savunma. Such products entered service with the Turkish army, and are also actively supplied to foreign customers. Several contracts have already been completed and new ones are expected.

For your needs

According to known data, Bayraktar TB2 has been developed since the end of the two thousandth years. In 2014, the first flight of such a UAV took place, and a few years later it was adopted by the Turkish army. Such success of the apparatus was facilitated by the overall excellence of the project, as well as direct assistance from the country's top leadership, provided for family reasons.

The manufacturer offers customers a full-fledged unmanned aviation complex with all necessary facilities. The typical composition of the complex includes a ground control post, three drone and a set of various systems and products for maintenance, etc. Known data on export contracts show that such a kit costs about 35 million US dollars.

The Turkish Armed Forces became the first customer of the Bayraktar. In addition, they were and remain the constant and largest buyer of such equipment and its main operator. According to the Turkish press, the army operates over a hundred TB2 UAVs. At the same time, the reference book The Military Balance 2021 gives more modest numbers - only 33 units. What is the reason for this difference in data is unclear.

One of the combat drones of the Turkish army. Photo Wikimedia Commons

Almost simultaneously with the army, in 2015-16, other law enforcement agencies began to purchase Bayraktar TB2 drones. To date, this technique consists of supplying the police and gendarmerie, as well as the National Intelligence Organization. They have at least 30-35 UAVs and a corresponding number of ground vehicles at their disposal.

It should be noted that the Turkish army is actively using its UAVs. This makes it possible to solve urgent military-political tasks, but it leads to losses. According to various estimates, at least 30-50 TB2 products were shot down over Syria and Libya, and such losses had to be replenished through new purchases and supplies. Thus, the drone fleet available does not reflect the total Turkish orders for Baykar Savunma.

Overseas deliveries

Already in 2016-17. "Baykar Savunma" began searching for foreign customers, and quickly enough solved such problems. It is very likely that in this area, too, it was not without help "at the top", and contracts appeared not only for economic, but also for political reasons.

Qatar is considered the first foreign customer for TB2. The contract with this country was signed in March 2018 and provided for the supply of two complexes with 6 UAVs. A few months later, the buyer received the desired products and took them into service.

One of the "Bayraktars" from the Ukrainian Air Force, 2019 Photo Wikimedia Commons

In the autumn of the same year, it became known about the future deliveries of "Bayraktars" to Ukraine. Then it was about the delivery of two sets. This technique was handed over in 2019 and has since been highly praised. Last year, Ukraine and Turkey agreed to organize a joint production of unmanned aerial vehicles. At the expense of him, the Kiev side expects to acquire 48 new UAVs, and Ankara intends to gain access to Ukrainian-made engines.

The Turkish-Azerbaijani cooperation is of the greatest interest. In the recent past, an unknown number of Bayraktar TB2 UAVs entered service with the Azerbaijani army. In 2020, this technique was actively used during the battles for Nagorno-Karabakh and showed its best side. Combat work like this made the drone a good publicity and turned it into a topic of much discussion.

Parties of the future

Baykar Savunma has already completed several export contracts and this work will continue. There are a number of orders from both old and new customers to be fulfilled in the near future. In addition, several countries are showing interest in Turkish drones, but this has not yet translated into real agreements.

First of all, the production of "Bayraktars" TB2 for the Turkish army will continue. With its help, it will be possible to replenish the losses and / or increase the number of the existing group. In addition, work is underway to launch a joint production of devices in Ukraine. The first of the 48 ordered vehicles are planned to be delivered this year.

Control stations of Ukrainian UAVs. Photo Wikimedia Commons

In April 2021, it became known that the Moroccan armed forces would become the next TB2 customer. The country's government has approved the purchase of several unmanned systems with 13 aircraft. According to the Moroccan press, about $ 70 million has been allocated for this purpose.

A few days ago, Baikar Savunma received an official order from the Polish army. According to this agreement, the buyer will receive four complexes and 24 UAVs, as well as compatible weapons. It is curious that the contract was signed without a tender, as part of an "urgent need". The delivery of the first devices is expected in 2022.

Several new contracts may appear in the near future. So, in October last year, the leadership of Serbia responded positively to the Turkish UAVs and announced their intention to study the possibility of acquiring them. However, so far everything has been limited to words only. In November, Russian media reported on the possible purchase of Bayraktar TB2 by the Kazakh army. It was argued that she was not satisfied with the existing Chinese-made drones, and they could be replaced with Turkish products.

In January 2021, the Turkish press reported that Bulgaria was showing interest in Bayraktars. The contract for the supply of two complexes with six UAVs could have appeared last year, but its signing was postponed due to the pandemic and economic difficulties. Despite this, the negotiations continued and could lead to the desired results.

In March 2021, foreign sources reported that military personnel from Somalia were being trained to operate TB2 products. This could indicate an upcoming or already signed contract, but details were not provided.

UAVs of Turkish production with Polish identification marks. Graphics of the Ministry of Defense of Poland

A few weeks ago, Hungary joined the list of potential customers for Turkish UAVs. Its Defense Ministry plans to purchase a number of new types of weapons and equipment, and together with other products, it is proposed to purchase reconnaissance and strike UAVs.

Commercial performance

To date, Baykar Savunma has supplied the Turkish army with at least 150-170 Bayraktar TB2 drones, which has made it possible to build a large and well-developed "air fleet" - despite combat and operational losses. The costs of the Turkish army for such purchases are unknown, but one can imagine their approximate level.

The total volume and value of export deliveries are unknown. There is information about 12 UAVs for Qatar and Ukraine with a total value of about $ 140 million. There is no exact data on the Azerbaijani order. Accordingly, it will not be possible to determine the value of these supplies and their share in the total earnings of the manufacturing company.

Contracts have been signed for another 37 UAVs and an agreement for 6 products is expected. Their total cost may be close to $ 500 million. Interest from Hungary and Somalia may result in new contracts. Also, the list of customers may be replenished by other countries. It is obvious that all these processes will, to one degree or another, increase the total number of ordered and built TB2s, and will also have a positive effect on the earnings of the manufacturing company.

Factors of success

To date, the Bayraktar TB2 UAV has become one of Turkey's main military exports. Moreover, it is he who is the most famous example of Turkish production, which is associated with effective and effective combat use in real armed conflicts. Apparently, the success of Baykar Savunma will not be limited to this, and new lucrative contracts will appear in the future.

Remains of TB2, shot down during a combat mission. Photo Lostarmour.info

It's not hard to see why TB2 is so popular and is generating good revenue for developers. The development company, using the support of the state, was able to create a project that was technically successful enough in a limited time frame. Then the finished sample easily entered service, which created a good reputation for him. In the future, these factors contributed to the sale of equipment to friendly foreign countries.

It should be borne in mind that the international market for reconnaissance and strike UAVs is not yet too large, and a limited number of samples from just a few countries are represented on it. Any new sample can catch the attention of buyers - and Bayraktar TB2 is no exception.

An important factor affecting orders in recent years has been the successful combat use in real operations. In conditions of local conflicts "Bayraktars" were able to show their reconnaissance and strike capabilities. At the same time, they did not encounter a developed modern air defense system, which could seriously damage efficiency and reputation.

Thus, several main factors underlie the commercial success of the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned complex. In fact, a fairly successful UAV was created and entered the market at the right time, and its operation is carried out in relatively favorable conditions, which made it possible to create a good reputation. How long this state of affairs will last is unknown. But until the situation changes, Turkey will be able to continue selling its unmanned vehicles and show new successes.

Comments

[Ehmedli]

Yes, this is already in the past, how much you can chew on the topic.)
Already more interested in AKSUNGUR, with the new KGK SİHA 82 (in terms of performance and power, it is identical to TEBER 82 / MK82, only in a light plastic / less reflective case.)

Here is the TEBER 82 itself, also in the arsenal of AKSUNGUR

And of course Akinchy, pleases both with MAM-T - 30 km, and with SOM B missiles - 250-300 km.

[Professor]

Quote: Ehmedli

Yes, this is already in the past, how much you can chew on the topic.)

So far, we are only seeing replicas of the leading drone manufacturers. Chinese way. And as China, there are also single customers. In particular, no moral requirements are imposed on clients, as long as they are solvent.

[Civil]

This is undoubtedly a commercial success backed up by a successful military campaign. And about technical excellence - expensive dinner spoon.

[KCA]

And what about the Turks with import substitution? Have you already mastered your engines with the help of the Square? Do they make their optics and electronics?

[Professor]

They are bad with this. Their systems are tough and not reliable. However, the Turks do not bother with the word "import substitution" that has no analogue in the world. By the way and right. And they buy what they can buy.

[KCA]

So they, it seems, somehow, at the suggestion of the United States, were blocked from imports from "civilized countries", are they being purchased in Iran?

[Professor]

And when did Iran become the leading technology power? There are generally seams.
For those drones that the Turks produce, it is not a problem to find components. Look at the performance characteristics of these drones. Nothing outstanding. They just happened to be in the right place at the right time and put them on export restrictions.

[KCA]

In fact, Iran made a copy of the RQ-170 miraculously landed on their territory.

[Professor]

Quote: KCA

In fact, Iran made a copy of the RQ-170 miraculously landed on their territory.

Glued a copy out of cardboard?

[KCA]

From balsa, like Zamwalt, according to the latest fashion trends

[KCA]

So, apparently, the Jewish comrades, or their admirers, will pass by, but what, really hurts your eyes? Or is Zamwolt not built of balsa? Or did the RQ-170 not land, by accident, in Iran, and Iran, in response to a pathetic request from the United States to return the UAV, said three words on the first letters of the phrase went to the farm? Iran's UAV flew, and the USA washed themselves, not for the first time, but then publicly with high-tech equipment, after all, there were Patriots who attacked their launchers, well, it happened, I didn’t smack ... but, there is also an iron dome, but How is he friends with normal rockets, not produced by Arabs in the basement from shit and sticks, but what about the RSD, which not only Iran, but also Turkey will quietly throw on the friends of their enemies? Always surprised on the equipment of the USSR and the Russian Federation the presence of aluminum nameplates on aluminum rivets, even on export equipment, like so that they know where they came from and were afraid? And after all, they were afraid, well, as now Petrov and Boshirov

[hagen]

Quote: KCA

And what about the Turks with import substitution? Have you already mastered your engines with the help of the Square? Do they make their optics and electronics?

What for? Today these UAVs are bought by NATO countries and participants in NATO partner programs because Turkey is a NATO member. When concluding contracts, buyers take into account the favorable attitude towards the purchase of the manufacturing countries of the main imported elements, which are quite influential NATO members. Countries of manufacturers of engines and complex electronic components of the complex will certainly show their interest. So it is even more harmful than necessary for the Turks to run into import substitution in this situation. And those official bans that were temporarily imposed by some suppliers are successfully bypassed, tk. beneficial to both parties, and the reasons for prohibiting direct sales are no longer relevant.

[donavi49]

Import substitution is proceeding - along the path of the optimal option. For example, they installed a heavier, more expensive and serious station from Aselsan (which is on Anka-C). It is better than the Canadian one, but also more expensive.

Screwed Satcom - now the UAV can be controlled from Ankara somewhere over Karabakh or in Libya.

As for the engine, they have their own PD170, but it is better suited for the heavy version of TV3, which they even decided to install on the UDC. It is also impossible to block Rotax because it is being sold to Alishka. It is the most widely used small aircraft engine in the world.

[Vladimir_2U]

In fact, a fairly successful UAV was created and entered the market at the right time, and its operation is carried out in relatively favorable conditions, which made it possible to create a good reputation.

It was not even Azerbaijan that created an advertisement for him, but the Armenians who imagined and merged the air defense organization.

[andrewkor]

A good example of promoting a good design with the help of the state and marketing policy. The Turks have always been good traders. But, in fact, they are not bullshit!

[Tagan]

They were not badly plucked in Syria. In vain the non-brothers pray to him. But the rich do not understand)))

[nikvic46]

Drones will still pose such a threat to the world, roughly equal to nuclear weapons, especially combat drones. Cheapness of manufacture. The damage that they can inflict not only on the military, but also on the civilian population. Moreover, this type of weapon has been adopted by notorious bandits. There will be a conversation at the UN. A serious conversation.

[S. Smirnov]

Quote: nikvic46

There will be a conversation at the UN. A serious conversation

A conversation at the UN will do nothing. There, everyone has their own interests. And lobbyists from industry and the army will put pressure on.
You just need to accept the reality with drones and proceed from it.

[TermNachTer]

That's just the point, basically - his success is advertising - commercial. He did not act against serious air defense, and how effective it will be is still a big question.

[BAI]

He has an interesting tail unit.

[grumbler]

The commercial success is, of course, based on successful application in the conflict over Karabakh / Artsakh, in Syria. Moreover, even shot down UAVs do not spoil the overall picture, but can be presented as an argument "for" - each
a downed UAV is NOT a downed manned aircraft (attack aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, spotter) and, most importantly, it is NOT a lost crew (which is very important in current "low intensity" conflicts, when the parties are very sensitive to losses).

Of course, it is important if a "service" is provided - both the technical means themselves and the maintenance and modernization program, the supply of spare parts; program and training tools for operator's specialists (technicians, pilots). This requires the use of modularity, "open architecture" and a high degree of so-called. "software-defined" behavior (when a significant improvement in performance is possible by updating only the software, with a minor update of the hardware - these are, first of all, algorithms for orientation in space, automatic piloting and obstacle search, energy-saving algorithms, pattern recognition algorithms, exchange protocols data, etc.).

Even greater success if the manufacturer manages to create a single hardware and software platform for civilian UAVs (monitoring forest fires, river floods; environmental monitoring; monitoring the migration of animals and insects; monitoring the health of forests and crops; police surveillance and search and rescue operations in sea ​​/ forests / mountains; avalanche monitoring in the mountains), and for military use. This will diversify its production and reduce the company's usual dependence on defense orders (which are subject to strong fluctuations due to the volatility of the political situation). I wonder if there are versions of Bayraktar for civil, police use?

In general, this is an important lesson for our developers - how you can occupy new trade niches and successfully compete with already mature players (EU countries, Israel, China), being a typical "regional power" (like today's Russia) and not having a long-standing reputation for "technological leader "(like Europe, USA).

imho, the way for Russia is to organize developments in such breakthrough areas in the form of competitions for small innovative firms for grants from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Moscow Region. First of all, with the participation of start-ups based on leading engineering universities. But this requires a significant simplification of the access of independent developers to the state. orders, changes in the approach to dividing the "financial pie", improvement of the military standards system (MIL-SPEC) and setting technically competent TK, simplification of the secrecy regime (up to abolition where it interferes with the work of distributed collaborations of developers) and improvement of patent protection of intellectual property.

[SHAH]

[i] [/ i] Russia received a very strong, developed, powerful inheritance from the USSR, and all sorts of Chubais, Serdyukovs, Mendels and K * destroyed and robbed this inheritance. The Turks are great against this background, although all this is still sparse, but the main thing is a good message and perseverance and they will adjust everything. breakouts and bounces are bullshit. When a brothel is not visited, it is necessary to change the girls and the administration, and not to reshuffle the "furniture".

[Azimuth]

Quote: Vladimir_2U

In fact, a fairly successful UAV was created and entered the market at the right time, and its operation is carried out in relatively favorable conditions, which made it possible to create a good reputation.

It was not even Azerbaijan that created an advertisement for him, but the Armenians who imagined and merged the air defense organization.

I disagree. The Israelis indirectly helped the Turks by selling more advanced UAVs of their own production to Azerbaijan and organizing licensed production. It was the Israeli UAVs that cleared the way for the less advanced UAVs of the Turks, their competitors in the Azerbaijani market.

Regarding the Armenians and the accusations against them. It is clear that all of us were unpleasant to see how they were beaten, because it was, in fact, we were beaten. Let me remind you that the air defense of Armenia is part of the united air defense grouping with us. Armenian plowmen study and shoot with us. So there is no need to rush the bad ones in their direction, because many died as hostages of our school and systems. Our air defense and school won more than once, but also suffered defeat more than once. The war in Karabakh was a defeat for us, and it is quite remarkable that, like in the Middle East, it could not do without Israel, the eternal offender of our air defense and their chief combat examiner. Since the Arab-Israeli wars, Jews have been beating our air defense systems and the defeat of Armenia’s air defense systems in Nagorno-Karabakh is their next success, not the Turks. Due to cheaper TB2, Azerbaijanis simply saved more money.

[Alexander Seklitsky]

Quote: Azimuth

Concerning the Armenians and the accusations against them. It is clear that all of us were unpleasant to see how they were beaten, because it was, in fact, we were beaten. Let me remind you that the air defense of Armenia is part of the united air defense grouping with us.

You flog the cruellest nonsense. Even the Armenian contingent did not participate there. Not like us. What do you want to say that defense was organized in Karabakh by our means and specialists? In Syria, yes, our specialists are actively teaching the Syrians and supplying some kind of equipment. So the result is completely different. Of course, there are losses, but this is not a beating, as in Karabakh.

Quote: Azimuth

Jews beat our air defense and the defeat of the Armenian air defense in Nagorno-Karabakh is their next success

You do not distinguish between the air defense of armenia and the self-defense forces of Karabakh? There was no serious anti-aircraft cover in Karabakh. Ancient wasps not tied into a net could not oppose anything to Azerbaijanis

[Azimuth]

Quote: Alexander Seklitsky

Quote: Azimuth

Concerning the Armenians and the accusations against them. It is clear that all of us were unpleasant to see how they were beaten, because it was, in fact, we were beaten. Let me remind you that the air defense of Armenia is part of the united air defense grouping with us.

You flog the cruellest nonsense. Even the Armenian contingent did not participate there. Not like us. What do you want to say that defense was organized in Karabakh by our means and specialists? In Syria, yes, our specialists are actively teaching the Syrians and supplying some kind of equipment. So the result is completely different. Of course, there are losses, but this is not a beating, as in Karabakh.

Quote: Azimuth

Jews beat our air defense and the defeat of the Armenian air defense in Nagorno-Karabakh is their next success

You do not distinguish between the air defense of armenia and the self-defense forces of Karabakh? There was no serious anti-aircraft cover in Karabakh. Ancient wasps not tied into a net could not oppose anything to Azerbaijanis

Um, who am I flogging is my personal and purely intimate affair. What kind of "forces of Nagorno-Karabakh" are you talking about "without talking nonsense", do you even believe yourself? We are not on the official website of the Ministry of Defense or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so we have the advantage of calling things by their proper names.
And this question is much more important than our actions may seem, or rather, inaction has more far-reaching consequences than it might seem.

Destroyed, by the way, again by the Israeli UAVs, and not by the once again praised by the Turkish Bayraktar TB-2, S-300 air defense systems, Tor-2MKM, are these air defense systems of some "NKR forces" in your opinion? As far as I remember, this armament of the air defense of the Armenian Armed Forces, for example, Torah, against the background of which Sorosenko posed, we supplied to Armenia, and not to some "NKR forces".
The fact that in Karabakh the units of the Armenian Armed Forces were staffed, among other things, by local Armenians, but a significant part of their personnel are Armenians and others from the territory of Armenia itself, which is quite natural for the Armed Forces of any state. The fact that the Armed Forces of Armenia, including the officers of its General Staff, "disguised themselves" as some "forces of the NKR." This is all politics and let the politicians do it. But this has nothing to do with the specific issue discussed here.
There was, and still is, a unified command and a unified armed force. Units of the Armed Forces of Armenia in Karabakh, if not de jure and in public, de facto remain parts of the Armed Forces of Armenia. Many of our cowards only clung to this moment in order to justify our inaction, because our reputation as an ally, not the reputation of Pashinyan the little sorose, who was in our throat, but the reputation of the CSTO, which was significantly, if not completely undermined, was at stake. It's still good that Lukashenka has been half-pressed from the West, but if someone else were in his place, how would he consider Belarus' participation in the CSTO after this? Kazakhstan is relatively loyal, pursues a "policy of appeasement" towards us and is interested in purchasing a number of our systems at the prices of a CSTO ally, but more and more often we read news about the military-technical cooperation of Kazakhs with NATO countries, and so on.
All these "forces of the NKR" are a topic for a long conversation, but I will be grateful if next time you address as an interlocutor more evenly and more politely, not so categorically and without claims to the ultimate truth.