Bangladesh has announced a plan to purchase Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones after their apparent success in neutralizing Russian military assets in Ukraine.
According to Bangladeshi news outlet Prothom Alo, the country’s military has signed an agreement with Baykar Technology, manufacturer of the Bayraktar drones.
No specific details were provided regarding the number of TB2 drones to be purchased or the total value of the agreement.
“I’m not in a position to give details, but I can confirm that there is cooperation between Bangladesh and Turkey regarding drones,” Turkey’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Tufan said.
In an earlier interview, the ambassador claimed that Turkish drones are of international standard and Bangladesh should consider purchasing such “modern equipment” for the future needs of the armed forces.
The Bayraktar in Ukraine
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, more than 50 Bayraktar TB2 drones have reportedly been supplied to Kyiv to defend against Moscow’s aggression.
The drones have provided crucial air power to slow Russian advances in the Donbas region, with Forbes calling them the “Most Valuable Player” in the first four months of the war.
Oryx, a blog tracking the destruction of military equipment, reported that the TB2 drones have been credited with neutralizing the following Russian military assets:
- 10 helicopters
- 6 Russian armored fighting vehicles
- 6 Russian naval ships
- 5 towed artillery systems
- 3 command posts
- 2 anti-aircraft guns
- 2 logistics trains
- 1 multi-rocket launcher
- 1 communication station
Baykar said that after the drones’ success in Ukraine, the “whole world” has become a customer of Turkish-made unmanned systems.
The Bayraktar TB2 Drone
The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium altitude, long-range tactical drone equipped with a triple redundant avionics system and capable of carrying four smart munitions to neutralize enemy assets.
It is fitted with an electro-optical camera module, infrared camera module, a laser designator and laser range finder.
The drone has a range of more than 150 kilometers (93.2 miles) and can fly at a maximum altitude of 25,000 feet (7.6 kilometers).
With a maximum payload capacity of 150 kilograms (330 pounds), the TB2 can travel at up to 120 knots (222 kilometers/138 miles per hour).
It also has a maximum endurance of 27 hours, making it suitable for long-range missions.
