Poland receives first Bayraktar TB2 drones

The Polish Army has received the first Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles.

The Ministry of Defense of Poland reported about this.

The first drones arrived at the 12th Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Base in the city of Mirosławiec.

Along with drones, the Polish military received radars and ground control stations.

In May 2021, the parties signed an agreement to supply four sets of Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial systems to the Polish Armed Forces. Each kit comprises six unmanned aerial vehicles, so in total, 24 Turkish attack drones will strengthen Poland’s defense capabilities.

The deal also includes the supply of MAM-L and MAM-C laser-guided bombs, which will allow for the implementation of the entire range of tactical tasks in accordance with the purpose of the complex. The supply of mobile control posts, radars, simulators and a stock of spare parts is foreseen as well.

The Polish Armed Forces will receive all ordered Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones and ammunition by the end of 2024.

The deal provides for a 24-month warranty, a training and logistics package, as well as the transfer of maintenance and repair technologies for aircraft, engines, ground control stations and cameras.

In September of this year, the first group of Polish pilots, operators and technical personnel completed training on the operation of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones.

In November 2021, it became known that in the version for the Armed Forces of Poland, Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles will for the first time be supplemented with Osprey 30 AESA SAR radars with a phased antenna array by the Italian Leonardo.

The Bayraktar TB2 is a Turkish-made medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle. It is made by the Turkish company, Baykar Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.

During the current full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war, Bayraktar TB2 drones are actively using their strike capabilities.