Baykar signs $367 million export deal for Bayraktar TB2 drones with Kuwait

Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar has recently concluded a significant export agreement worth $367 million with the Kuwaiti government.

Ekleme: 14.06.2023 08:46:45 / Güncelleme: 14.06.2023 08:46:45 / English News / İstanbul Haberleri
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The deal involves the delivery of Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), as jointly announced by Baykar and the Kuwaiti army on Tuesday.

"We have successfully completed the contract process with the Government of Kuwait on the export of domestically made Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs," Baykar said in a statement posted on Twitter.

The Bayraktar TB2 drones, renowned for their exceptional performance, including a remarkable record-breaking continuous flight of 27 hours and three minutes in challenging environmental conditions like high temperatures and sandstorms, will be deployed within Kuwaiti airspace, according to the statement.

Specific details regarding the quantity of drones to be delivered and the timeline for their arrival were not disclosed by either party.

With this agreement, the State of Kuwait becomes the 28th country globally to acquire Bayraktar TB2 drones, which have gained recognition for their utilization in various conflicts spanning from Syria to Ukraine.

Negotiations between Baykar and the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense commenced back in 2019, during which Kuwait opted for Türkiye's domestically developed and battle-proven UCAV, favoring it over competing products from companies based in the United States, Europe, and China.

This export deal signifies a major achievement for Baykar and reinforces the growing global demand for Turkish-made drones, solidifying their position in the international defense market.

The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) capable of conducting remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations.

These aircraft are monitored and controlled by aircrew from a ground control station, including weapons deployment. The development of the UAV has been largely attributed to Selçuk Bayraktar, a former graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). (ILKHA)