Croatia signs deal for Bayraktar TB2 drones as part of strategic defence expansion

On November 14, the Croatian government approved the purchase of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat drones for 86 million euros, as confirmed by the Croatian Ministry of Defence.

Croatia has entered into an agreement to acquire six of the Turkish drones, along with necessary equipment and military training, which will continue until 2026, Caliber.Az reports citing the SavunmaSanayiST.com message on X.

#SONDAKİKA | Hırvatistan da Türk SİHA’larını tercih etti!

— Hırvatistan, 91 milyon dolarlık bir anlaşmayla Türkiye'den 6 adet Bayraktar TB2 SİHA tedarik edecek.

— Hırvat tarafının açıklamasına göre; teslimatlar, 2026’ya kadar tamamlanacak.

pic.twitter.com/206DgwvF0M

— SavunmaSanayiST.com (@SavunmaSanayiST) November 14, 2024

Ivan Anušić, Croatia's defence chief, stated that the Bayraktar TB2 drones would enhance the country's ability to address modern security challenges. "This unmanned aerial vehicle offers valuable applications for border protection and fire prevention and can also be used by other government agencies," he added, according to the Croatian Ministry of Defence.

In addition to the drone deal, the Croatian government also approved a memorandum of intent between Anušić and his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, which outlines the purchase of Leopard 2A8 tanks in exchange for transferring Croatian military equipment to Ukraine.

The Bayraktar TB2 is a Turkish tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for reconnaissance and strike missions, equipped with laser-guided munitions. It features four suspension points under its wings for carrying payloads.

The Bayraktar TB2 first gained international attention during the 2020 Karabakh conflict, where it was successfully deployed by Azerbaijan. It has also proven effective in Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion. Other countries, including Serbia, Albania, and Romania, have shown interest in acquiring these drones.

In June 2023, the Serbian Prime Minister stated that Serbia would refrain from purchasing the Bayraktar TB2 due to its sale to Kosovo Security Forces (KSF). Romania, on the other hand, requested Türkiye to consider co-producing the drones on its soil.

The Bayraktar TB2 has also found significant use in Africa, where several countries have acquired it for counter-insurgency operations. Ethiopia, in particular, awarded Haluk Bayraktar, the company’s CEO, the Medal of Honour after the UAV played a crucial role in defeating rebel groups.

The Bayraktar TB2 was also deployed in rescue operations following the devastating earthquake in Türkiye in February 2023, aiding in the location and rescue of numerous survivors.

The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude tactical strike UAV, powered by an internal combustion engine and a pusher-type propeller. With a flight endurance of 12 to 24 hours, it can operate at a control range of up to 150 kilometres. Its rapid response capabilities make it an effective platform for engaging fleeting targets. Developed and produced by Baykar Makina, the Bayraktar TB2 has become one of the world’s best-selling strike UAVs, contributing to the company’s rise in the global arms industry. By 2024, Baykar Makina ranked among the top 100 arms manufacturers, with a 94% revenue growth, the fastest in the sector.

By Tamilla Hasanova