Turkish Bayraktar Drone Maker Signs Ukraine Deal

Turkey’s Baykar signed a new agreement with Ukraine at Istanbul’s Saha Expo Defence & Aerospace Exhibition, although the details of the agreement remain undisclosed. The company is known for its Bayraktar drone systems, which were crucial in aiding Kyiv during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha expressed gratitude towards Turkish defense contractors for their support and called for more investments in Ukraine’s military-industrial complex.

During the exhibition, Baykar’s general director presented Sybiha with a model of the company’s KIZILELMA supersonic jet-powered UAV featuring Ukrainian symbols. There were previous plans for Baykar to establish a presence in Kyiv, with Ukraine being granted a license to produce the drones by 2023.

Despite the effectiveness of the Bayraktar drones in the early days of the invasion, recent developments have led Kyiv to mainly deploy them for reconnaissance missions due to improved Russian defenses. The close ties between Baykar and the Turkish government have sparked speculations, with the company’s chief technology officer being married to President Erdogan’s daughter. Turkey, a NATO member, has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the conflict, maintaining relationships with both Kyiv and Moscow, raising concerns among Western allies.

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