Poland receives its third set of Bayraktar TB2 Turkish drones

At the 12th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Base in Mirosławiec, representatives of the Polish Armed Forces officially accepted the third set of the Bayraktar TB2 medium-range unmanned attack and reconnaissance system.

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Previously, the Bayraktar TB2s were tested in Turkey and, after being delivered to Poland in September, successfully passed the final tests that determine their final user acceptance.

Each set delivered to Poland includes, among others: 6 UAVs with 3 ground control stations, as well as their corresponding reconnaissance and sensor equipment.

See also: First look at the new Bayraktar TB3, which will have the ability to operate from aircraft carriers

The first set was received by the Polish Armed Forces in autumn 2022 and training of the first instructors and system users from the 12th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Base in Mirosławiec and the Engineering and Aviation Training Center in Dęblin was already completed. Of the second set took possession in the spring of 2023.

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Polish contract

On May 24, 2021, the Polish Ministry of Defense procured four Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for its Armed Forces from Turkey’s Baykar Defense. The agreement stipulates that the contractor will deliver a total of four Bayraktar TB2 sets along with ground control stations, SAR radars, simulators, as well as a training and logistics package and a spare parts package between 2022 and 2024.

The contract also includes the procurement of laser-guided smart armament, MAM-L and MAM-C, which will enable the full spectrum of tactical tasks to be carried out, in line with the system’s operational purpose.

In addition, it was agreed with Baykar to transfer the technology necessary for the establishment, within the structures of the Polish Armed Forces, of in-house maintenance capacity (level D) for the overhaul and repair of, among others, engines, ground control stations and cameras.

Bayraktar TB2 features

The Bayraktar TB2 is an unmanned tactical reconnaissance and strike system capable of performing surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and combat missions using laser-guided smart armament carried on four under-wing pylons.

The Bayraktar TB2 is equipped with an avionics system that enables fully automatic taxiing, takeoff, overflight and landing. The drone is 6.5 meters long and has a wingspan of 12 meters. Depending on the mission and payload, the manufacturer claims that the Bayraktar TB2 can reach a maximum ceiling of 8,200 meters (for normal operational missions it is 5,400m) and can stay in the air for up to 27 hours. The drone has a take-off weight of 650 kilograms and a maximum speed of about 220 km/h.