Turkey, Pakistan, Azerbaijan increase cooperation on Akinci drone program

Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East, News October 27, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

A batch of Turkish, Azerbaijani, and Pakistani drone operators graduated on October 23, after completing the Bayraktar Akinci drone training program. Turkish drone and defense manufacturer, Baykar Technologies, oversaw the training.

A batch of 110 trainees completed their training as pilots, payload operators, mechanics, engine technicians, electronic and ground control station operators, and weapons operators.

At the completion ceremony of the training program, Baykar board chairman and technology leader Selcuk Bayraktar said in his speech that the strong bond between the three nations would grow stronger in the coming times. The Ambassador of Azerbaijan in Turkey Reshad Mammado was also present during the ceremony. He presented diplomas and gifts to Azerbaijani students who completed the first course.

The training program was dubbed as Akinci Project by the Turkish Presidency of Defense Industries. Both Pakistan and Azerbaijan already have a fleet of Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones. Although, neither Pakistan nor Turkey has officially disclosed how many drones have been delivered to Islamabad, the images from Pakistani air force bases as well as official footages confirm the presence of Turkish-made drones in Pakistan. After the completion of this training program, it is expected that Turkey and Pakistan would sign an official deal for advanced Akinci drones.

Akinci is top of a line combat drone produced by Baykar Technologies. It was first delivered to the Turkish security forces in late August 2021. Since then, the combat drone has joined the company’s highly successful small-sized Bayraktar TB2, which has been widely used and sold to various countries, including Ukraine, Qatar, Azerbaijan, and Poland.

*^{Turkish, Azerbaijani, and Pakistani AKINCI drone operators graduated in Turkey. (Image Credit: RayHaber/Railly News)}*

So far, six Akinci drones have entered the inventory and have been actively used by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), however, no country other than Turkey has acquired the Akinci drones yet.

Turkey’s booming drone and defense industry rely heavily upon exports. The export of defense products marks about 75% of the total revenue generated by the Turkish defense industry. This successful export-oriented business model has made Baykar Technologies a leader in the defense and aerospace sector. According to Turkey’s Exporters Assembly, Baykar Technologies earned 95% of its total revenue from exports in 2022.

Turkish drone technology reached a milestone when Bayraktar Tactical Block 2 (TB-2) took its first flight in 2014. Since then it has become the go-to option for many developing and developed countries because of its cheaper price tag and maneuverable design.

Bayraktar TB2 drone has proven to be quite effective against Russian forces in the Russia-Ukraine war. The drone has become quite popular among Ukrainians and other eastern European countries, which increased the confidence among other buyers.