Croatian Armed Forces to purchase powerful, state-of-the-art unmanned system Bayraktar 

On 21 November 2024 Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ivan Anušić signed the contract for the procurement of the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial system at the Croatian Ministry of Defence.

The Minister signed the contract with the CEO of the Turkish company, Baykar Makina San. Ve Tic. A.S., Haluk Bayraktar. The contract concerns the procurement of six state-of-the-art, armed unmanned aerial vehicles. The value of the contract amounts to 67.01 million euros (excluding VAT), and the Bayraktars will be in operational use by the Croatian Armed Forces by the end of September 2025. Emphasizing the importance of rapid adaptation of defence systems to the existing security situation, Minister Anušić said that this new unmanned aerial system will further strengthen the capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces.

“Apart from combat operations, the Bayraktar is also used for reconnaissance and data collection. The value of the contract amounts to 67 million euros excluding VAT, but I would like to emphasize that this is a weapon that is essential not only for the armed forces in combat operations. It is a system that can also be used for border surveillance, and can be used by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Property,” Defence Minister said, emphasizing that the Bayraktar will further improve the operations of the Croatian Armed Forces, and that it is one of the best UAVs in the world.

“It is important to emphasize that this system is used in 37 countries around the world and it is one of the best UAVs. When we talk about the signed contract, we mean the entire package that concerns the complete system of unmanned aerial vehicles and the training of CAF members who will operate this aircraft,” the Defence Minister said.

The representative of the Turkish company thanked Minister Anušić for his readiness and desire to strengthen defence cooperation between Croatia and Turkey.

“Croatia and Turkey have a strong friendship that dates back to 1991 and which continued with the membership of the two countries in NATO and our commitment to preserving global peace and security,” Bayraktar said, emphasizing the possibility of using these unmanned aerial vehicles for civilian purposes. “We are pleased that the Bayraktar TB2 will become part of the Croatian Armed Forces and thus contribute to preserving peace and stability in this region,” he concluded.

Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial system

The unmanned aerial system has useful and effective applications in border surveillance, firefighting acitivities, etc., and can also be used by other state bodies. The configuration in question is based on six aircraft equipped with electro-optical reconnaissance cameras, including an early armament set, in stationary and mobile versions.

The package also includes a command and control center, a training simulator, ground control and monitoring stations, ground data stations, an initial set of spare parts including all necessary equipment and tools for user-level maintenance, a two-year warranty, a two-year stay of Baykar technical experts in Croatia, training at Baykar’s training center in Turkey, and the transport of the entire package to Croatia. The company will deliver all goods and services within nine months of signing the contract, which should make the entire system operational by the end of September 2025.