Croatia is buying Turkish Bayraktar combat drones for 95 million dollars

(Patria) - The Croatian government, at yesterday's session, gave its consent to the Ministry of Defence (MORH) to undertake obligations from the state budget for the maintenance of Rafale aircraft.

Decisions were also made regarding the procurement of the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial system and preparatory actions for the procurement of Leopard tanks, reports Index.hr.

After conducting the public procurement procedure for the period from 2024 to 2026, the MORH presented a decision at the session to procure the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial system for a total amount of 95 million US dollars, or 86 million and 424,252 euros.

Of this amount, the Ministry will have to pay 84.6 million euros - 20.2 million this year, 37.5 million in 2025, and 27 million in 2026.

What kind of drones are these?

The Bayraktar TB2 is a long-range tactical unmanned aerial vehicle that can conduct intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and armed attack missions. It is produced by the Turkish company Baykar, founded in 1986, which employs over 5,100 people.

It is 6.5 meters long and has a wingspan of twelve meters. It can stay in the air for more than 24 hours and has a maximum speed of about 220 kilometers per hour. The manufacturer states on its website that it can reach a maximum altitude of 22,000 feet.

The Bayraktar TB2 holds the record in the history of Turkish aviation for flight duration with 27 hours and 3 minutes.

It is the first Turkish unmanned aircraft in its category to be exported abroad. It has been used in conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Nagorno-Karabakh and is Turkey's leading export military product.

It has the capability for fully automatic landing and takeoff without dependence on ground systems.

"The Bayraktar TB2 is a system that offers all the advanced solutions needed to carry out surgically precise strikes that prevent widespread damage in closed areas. These features ensure civilian safety as a top priority," reads the official website.

Its effectiveness has been proven with over 900,000 operational flight hours.

- The Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia have expressed the need for the priority and urgent procurement of the armed unmanned aerial system Bayraktar TB2, and the company Baykar Makina San. Ve Tic. A.Ş. has submitted an informational offer and a proposed configuration of the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial system for Croatia under an 'all-inclusive package' model.

The configuration is based on six aircraft equipped with electro-optical reconnaissance cameras, including an initial weapons set, and ensures dual radio coverage of the entire territory of Croatia in stationary and mobile versions - stated the Minister of Defence Ivan Anušić.

In addition to the aircraft with cameras and weapons, the package includes a command and control center, a training simulator, ground surveillance and control stations, ground data stations, an initial set of spare parts sufficient for 4,000 flight hours, including all necessary maintenance equipment and tools, a warranty period of two years or up to 4,000 flight hours, the presence of experts in Croatia for a period of two years, training at their training center in Turkey, and the transport of the entire package to Croatia.