The manufacturer of Bayraktar TB2 drones, the favorite of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, is confident that its Ukrainian factory will produce the first attack drones in 2025.
Ukraine became the first country in the world where Turkish Baykar Makina was able to start production of the latest Bayraktar Akipsi unmanned aerial vehicles at its factory. The company’s CEO, Haluk Bayraktar, talked about this issue to Radio Liberty reporters on the sidelines of the International Defense Strategies Forum.
What kind of drone will Baykar Makina produce in Ukraine?
According to preliminary plans, Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle, Akıncı heavy attack UAV and Kızılelma unmanned combat aircraft will be produced in such a center. Haluk Bayraktar confirmed that the company has such plans and that they are quite feasible.
“As far as I know, this issue regarding Bayraktar Akippsi is being evaluated. The Ukrainian army knows very well what we produce and what we invest in. Therefore, our plan is to produce all the systems we have here (in Ukraine).” – ed.),” emphasized Haluk Bayraktar.
He announced that Baykar Makina received all the necessary permits for this production. Therefore, the company can completely produce Bayraktar TB2 instead of assembling it. In addition, when the new center becomes operational, it will be possible to produce the entire Bayraktar Akıpsi.
“Ukraine is the first country to have such a permit. Because defense cooperation requires permission from the state and we have this permission,” he said. However, he emphasized that the problem regarding the production of Akıncı in Ukraine has not yet been definitively resolved.
Bayraktar TB2 It is a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV. It is capable of staying in the air for up to 24 hours at an altitude of 8.2 km. Control range is up to 150 km. Bayraktar TB2 is equipped with various weapon systems, including Roketsan MAM-L and MAM-C air-to-surface guided missiles and MAM-L glider bombs.
Bayraktar TB2 was widely used in combat operations in Syria, Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh. It demonstrated high efficiency in destroying enemy armored vehicles, artillery positions and manpower. In Ukraine, Bayraktar TB2 has been used to attack Russian forces since the beginning of the occupation. It played an important role in destroying Russian equipment and weapons, as well as lowering the morale of Russian soldiers.
Forward. The manufacturer claims that this drone is the most expensive and most “powerful” Turkish development in the last 50 years. The fighter jet is claimed to be able to release its charge “anywhere in the world” (possibly hinting at the high-precision nature of the device). Emphasis is also placed on the fact that it works on the basis of artificial intelligence, and a powerful engine makes it possible to easily direct it to any point where military conflicts are intensifying.
The weight of this drone is 5.5 tons, the payload weight is 1.3 tons, and the device is powered by two 450 hp turboprop engines. or 750 hp (depending on configuration). The maximum altitude reached during testing was 13.7 km. The ship is equipped with an air-to-air radar, sensors for obstacle avoidance, and a synthetic aperture radar that processes radar images to improve resolution and detail.
Red Apple It is Turkey’s first unmanned combat aircraft in the development and production phase. Two prototypes of this aircraft have already been produced. It was designed to perform combat missions in the air and hit ground targets with the help of artificial intelligence. The aircraft has a low radar signature, giving it an advantage in low visibility conditions. In addition, the aircraft’s ability to take off and land on ships with short runways increases its flexibility and responsiveness on the battlefield. The take-off weight of this fighter is 8.5 tons and the payload capacity is 1.5 tons.
Baykar’s factory in Ukraine: how will it happen
According to the company’s general manager, a facility for the production of Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles is already being built, and significant investments of $100 million have been made in this project.
“This was an investment decision taken before the war between our countries. Therefore, we do not stop the work we started due to the current situation, we continue to work. The great war continues, so it is not easy to carry out construction work.” “As we want, but we continue our investments and we believe in the future of Ukraine, we believe in the cooperation of our countries,” said Haluk Bayraktar.
Just a month before the large-scale war, on February 3, 2022, a framework agreement in the field of aviation and other high technologies was signed between the countries to support investments and incentive mechanisms in Ukraine. And this agreement came into force after the approval of the Ukrainian and Turkish authorities.
The first investments started to arrive from Baykar Makina in May 2023. The financial support is primarily aimed at creating a production line for drone production. The company’s general manager states that it plans to complete the construction of the facility within a year and a half. At the same time, the drone manufacturer is aware of all the risks associated with the implementation of such a project during hostilities on the territory of Ukraine.
At the International Defense Strategies Forum held on September 29, Haluk Bayraktar said, “Of course, there are risks arising from war, and accordingly, there are risks arising from the human resources that are needed now and that everyone focuses on.” in Kiev.
Earlier in September, Baykar Makina CEO gave Defense Express exclusive details about what the Ukrainian drone production facility would look like.
According to him, the total area of the Baykar center in Ukraine should be over 30 thousand, and the number of Ukrainian expert engineers and technicians should be more than 300 people.
Also in the media, models of the future Ukrainian Baykar center were published, which will carry out not only the development but also the production of drones.
Baykar Makina: what kind of company is it?
Note that Baykar is a Turkish aircraft manufacturing company founded in 1984 by entrepreneur Özdemir Bayraktar. At first it focused on the production of spare parts for cars: engines, pumps and spare parts. The company’s goal was to ensure the localization of the automotive industry in Turkey.
In the 2000s, it began to develop in the aircraft manufacturing market and began to develop its own UAV models. For this purpose, our own R&D center was built. Gradually he managed to create the first prototypes, master the production of aviation components and participate in military projects of the Turkish army. Gradually aircraft production became the main focus of the company, replacing all other areas. It is now a strong manufacturer both for Turkey’s domestic market and for the export of various types of military UAVs and their weapons.
Let us remind you that in the second half of June it became known for the first time that the Turkish company Baykar received a license for the assembly of Bayraktar unmanned aerial vehicles in Ukraine. Turkish authorities have allowed the production of Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı unmanned aerial vehicles at the Avia Ventures factory, which is planned to become operational in 2025. It is known that the builders have completed almost all the preparatory work.
Just now, at the end of January 2023, Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Vasily Bodnar announced the completion of the project for the construction of the Baykar factory in Ukraine. According to him, the enterprise should be operational by 2025 with partial localization of production.
Source: Focus
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.