The first batch of Bayraktar TB2 drones was handed over to the Polish army on Friday (October 28), the first EU and NATO country to acquire the Turkish-made aircraft.
The first set of equipment that arrived at Miroslawiec Air Base in western Poland consists of six unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and three mobile control stations, the Polish defence ministry said.
"There is no modern army without drones, without combat drones," Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Błaszczak said.
The contract for 24 Turkish-made UAVs armed with anti-tank projectiles was signed in May 2021.
The battle-proven TB2 drone is being sold to 24 countries including NATO member Poland, while the company signed deals with five countries for exports of its much larger sibling Akinci.
While the TB2 can lift off with up to 150 kg (330 pounds) of missiles or equipment, Akinci, first delivered to Turkish armed forces last year, can fly much higher and take off with 10 times the weight.
The aerial drones supplied by Turkish defence company Baykar were instrumental in Ukraine's defence against Russian armour and anti-aircraft systems in the first few weeks of the Russian invasion.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: TVN24