Turkish Drone Makers Get Boost From Ukrainian Battlefield Success

Turkish-made drones have performed well in Ukraine's resistance to Russia's invasion, taking out significant targets in the first few weeks of the war.

Photo Insert: In one of many videos released by the Ukrainian military, a Turkish-made Bayraktar drone destroys a Russian tank to the cheers of the drone operators.

But the conflict, and any possibility of a Russian victory, have cast a shadow over the future of Turkey's rapidly growing drone industry, which relies on Ukrainian engines, Dorian Jones reported for GlobalaSecurity.org.

In one of many videos released by the Ukrainian military, a Turkish-made Bayraktar drone destroys a Russian tank to the cheers of the drone operators. But with the Bayraktar drone powered by Ukrainian engines, Samuel Bennet of the US-based Center for Naval Analyses warns that any Russian victory in Ukraine could set back Turkey's rapidly growing drone industry.

"Russia sees Bayraktar's TB2s in particular as a highly competitive weapon and technology not just in the former Soviet space, but in the global aerial vehicle market. Russians are nervous that Bayraktar are penetrating the former Soviet space, the Caucasus and Central Asia and now Ukraine," Bennet said.

"And so, if Russians were to sort of exercise the full extent of their powers in the outcome of the negotiations, they would probably seek to limit Ukrainian military cooperation with Turkey so as not to further Turkish growing advantage in certain technologies like UAVs."

Ukraine provides cutting-edge engine know-how and does not put restrictions on Turkish companies selling to third parties. Turkish drone use in conflicts like the Ethiopian civil war has drawn international criticism from rights groups.

James Rogers, assistant professor in War Studies at the University of Southern Denmark, says the Turkish drone industry would not have the same freedom of use if it turned to its Western allies for engines.

"There are more restrictions when you deal with the UK, European or American suppliers, and that is something Turkey will definitely keep in mind," he said.

"We know that the US has been very selective to who it sells drones and drone elements to around the world. This was one of the reasons why Turkey started its entire indigenous drone program because Congress wouldn't approve the sale of Reaper-Predator generation medium altitude long endurance drones to Turkey."

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