Final Bayraktars Delivered to Poland

This marks the delivery of the final batch consisting of 6 Bayraktar TB2 drones, 3 control stations, and additional equipment, thereby fulfilling the contract signed by the Ministry of Defence in 2021. They have been procured within the framework of urgent operational requirements, independently from long-term technical modernization programmes pursued by the Armed Forces, based on a contract worth USD 270 million.

Bayraktar TB2 is a tactical UAS capable of executing ISR and combat sorties, involving laser-guided munitions carried on four underwing hardpoints. The Polish Bayraktars also feature an AESA-class Osprey radar (with active electronic scanning) and are equipped with an IFF (Identification-Friend-or-Foe) identification system.

The TB2 features avionics that allow for fully automated taxi, take-off, cruise, and landing. The drone is 6.5 meters long and has a wingspan of 12 meters. Its flight endurance is defined as up to 27 hours. The UAV weighs up to 650 kg, with 150 kg of payload. Its top speed is around 220 kph.

Drones of this kind saw extensive combat use during the initial phase following Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine. Nevertheless, their capacity to execute combat missions is significantly curtailed when facing adversaries with robust air defenses, such as those employed by Russia during the conflict. However, they can undertake long endurance sorties far from the enemy’s strategic locations, primarily engaged in reconnaissance tasks, for instance.