Croatia acquires Bayraktar TB2 UCAV to strengthen national security

Croatia has taken a significant step toward bolstering its national security by acquiring Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs).

‘One of the best systems of unmanned aerial vehicles in the world’

Baykar, one of Türkiye’s leading defense manufacturers, finalized the agreement with Croatia’s Ministry of Defense at a ceremony in Zagreb attended by Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anusic and Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar.

Danas sam s izvršnim direktorom turske tvrtke @BaykarTech potpisao ugovor o nabavi besposadnog zrakoplovnog sustava Bayraktar TB2 za Oružane snage Republike Hrvatske. Ulaganjem @VladaRH i @MORH_OSRH vrijednim 67 milijuna eura, opremamo Hrvatsku vojsku jednim od najboljih sustava… pic.twitter.com/lmhDsDfJxu

— Ivan Anušić (@ivananusic12) November 21, 2024

“We are equipping the Croatian army with one of the best systems of unmanned aerial vehicles in the world, which, in addition to combat operations, can also be used in the surveillance of our borders, thereby additionally contributing to the security system of the Republic of Croatian,” Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anusic said in a statement on X.

Bayraktar TB2 expands NATO and EU operations

The deal places Croatia among the growing number of NATO and EU nations using Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs. With its proven operational record, the Bayraktar TB2 is now active in the inventories of six NATO and four EU member countries.

Impressive global achievements

First introduced into service with the Turkish armed forces in 2014, the Bayraktar TB2 has reached 950,000 flight hours globally as of September 2024.

Manufactured with a 93% localization rate, it is Türkiye’s longest-serving aviation platform and holds records including a national altitude record of 27,030 feet. In July 2019, the Bayraktar TB2 demonstrated its endurance by flying for over 27 hours under harsh environmental conditions.

In May 2024, the Bayraktar TB2 became the first UCAV in the world to autonomously perform a barrel roll maneuver, a feat previously exclusive to fighter jets.

Baykar’s export leadership

Baykar has signed export agreements for the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV with 34 countries and the Bayraktar Akinci UCAV with 10 countries. In 2023, 83% of Baykar’s $1.8 billion revenue stemmed from exports, making it a leader in Türkiye’s defense and aviation exports.