Ukraine likes Bayraktar TB2, wants more UAVs from Turkey

In 2021-2022, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine plans to purchase four more complexes of Turkish strike and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles Bayraktar TB2. This information was expressed in an interview with the Eastern European Bureau of the publication of the Report by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant-General Valery Zaluzhny.

“In 2021-22, it is planned to purchase four more such complexes for the needs of the armed forces. In addition, in the future we plan to include in our arsenal such domestic unmanned aerial vehicles,” said Zaluzhni.

Thus, Ukraine can receive another 24 Turkish-made strikes and reconnaissance drones. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine notes that currently in the arsenal of the Armed Forces [Air Force and Navy] there are two complexes of Turkish drones Bayraktar TB2 [12 aircraft]. So in the coming years, Ukraine can triple its fleet of Bayraktar TB2.

At the same time, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine notes that the purchase and armament of Bayraktar TB2 drones is only half the success.

Thus, according to Zaluzhny, Ukraine currently has no experience, for example, that Azerbaijan gained during the Nagorno-Karabakh war to use its own Bayraktar TB2 effectively.

“First, we need to learn to work effectively with them. Second, we need to know the tactics of using them. We need to take a holistic approach to this issue. It is not enough to just buy a Bayraktar TB2. Now we are learning to use this technique. Honestly. that is to say, it would be more convenient if we had the experience of Azerbaijan. I admit, unfortunately, that we know little of this experience,” said the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.