Ukraine mulls to domestically produce Bayraktar drones to counter Russia amid ongoing war

Amidst a dearth of heavy combat weapons, Ukraine is now looking to produce Turkish Bayraktar drones. On Tuesday, country’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that a bill to domestically produce UAVs would be sent to parliament (Verkhovna Ra).  Bayraktar TB2 drones were developed for Turkish military in 2004 and have been operational since n. y are medium-altitude long-endurance vehicles, capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations.

Last month, Ankara gifted several Bayraktar TB2 to Ukrainian troops, eventually helping m to destroy Russian artillery and manned combat vehicles. In a statement posted later,  manufacturers noted that ir crowdfunding campaign h raised enough money to buy several of its TB2 UAVs “for Ukrainians to use in defence of ir Homeland”. “Baykar (Turkey's drone firm) will not accept payment for TB2s, and will send 3 UAVs free of charge to Ukrainian war front. We ask that raised funds be remitted inste to struggling people of Ukraine," it said on Twitter. 

Lithuania, Norway to supply Bayraktar drones to Ukraine

Notably, Lithuania h separately signed an agreement with Turkey to purchase unmanned aerial vehicle Bayraktar TB2 strike drones to be supplied to Ukrainian army to deter Russia’s aggression. Taking on his official Twitter account, Turkish Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anusauskas said, "Agreement was signed in Turkey today with President of Turkish Defence Agency prof. Ismail Demir in cooperation with Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania. This agreement paves way for purchase of Bayraktar.” 

In latest development, Norway has initiated a fundraising campaign to buy Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones for Ukrainian armed forces amid ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. decision of Norway came after Lithuania and Poland h me a similar move. campaign website stated that Lithuania purchased a Bayraktar in three days and Poland bought three Bayraktars. campaign website called on people to make contributions and stressed that "Norway must do same."

"Lithuania collected 1 Bayraktar in three days, Poland collected 3 Bayraktars and Ukraine collected 3 Bayraktars in a few days. Of course, Norway must do same - at least!," statement on fundraising website re. 

(Image: Ukraine govt)