Bayraktar TB2 Deliveries Explained: How Many Operators, Which Institutions?
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The Bayraktar TB2 armed UAV on the runway. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC).
Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) armed unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Türkiye’s Baykar. It first flew in 2014 and entered Turkish service the same year, soon becoming the world’s most-exported armed drone. Per Baykar, TB2 is in service with 28+ countries beyond Türkiye, and the global TB2 fleet has logged over one million flight hours. This dossier compiles TB2’s delivery timeline, operators, production figures and technical data from open sources.
TB2’s success is not limited to export figures: low operating cost, rapid deployment and a broad spare-parts network have made it an accessible capability for both large militaries and smaller-budget nations. This reach also gives the Turkish defense industry long-term strategic influence through training, maintenance and munitions-supply relationships that often outlast the initial sale, widening Türkiye’s regional and global footprint.
2014
First flight + in service
28+ countries
Export operators
1M+ hours
Global flight time
~250/year
Production capacity
Contents: Tap each heading to expand or collapse — what TB2 is, operators, first delivery, how many countries, timeline, specifications, engine, munitions, combat record and FAQ.
What is the Bayraktar TB2?
TB2 combines ISR and precision strike in a single armed UAV. Its four hardpoints carry Roketsan smart munitions, and real-time imagery and laser designation let it perform both reconnaissance and attack missions. Relatively low cost, high readiness and combat-proven performance have made it a globally preferred system.
TB2 is the foundational platform of the Bayraktar UAV family; the heavier AKINCI and satellite-controlled TB3 build on this heritage.
Which institutions and countries operate it?
TB2 is in service with nearly all Turkish security institutions and has been exported to 28+ countries, including NATO and EU members.
Operator (Türkiye)
Status
Air Force Command
Active
Army Command
Active
Gendarmerie
Active
National Police (EGM)
Active
National Intelligence (MİT)
Active (cross-border ops)
Coast Guard
Active (maritime surveillance)
Export operator (selection)
Note
Ukraine
Heavy combat use (post-2022)
Azerbaijan
2020 Karabakh campaign
Poland
First NATO-member buyer (2021)
Qatar, Morocco, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan
Operational
Kuwait, Croatia, Romania
Recent buyers
Total
28+ countries (Baykar)
When was the first delivery? How is serial production progressing?
TB2 first flew in 2014 and entered Turkish service the same year, becoming operational from 2015–2016. Baykar serially produces TB2 at its Istanbul facilities, with a stated annual capacity of around 250 TB2.
How many countries, how many built?
Per Baykar, TB2 has been exported to 28+ countries, many of them NATO and EU members, and the global fleet has passed one million flight hours. At ~250 units a year, TB2 is the world’s most-exported armed drone.
TB2 with its munitions on display at Teknofest 2022. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC).
Latest and upcoming deliveries
Deliveries continue both as follow-on supply to existing operators and first deliveries to new countries. Recently Kuwait and Croatia added TB2 to their inventories, and processes for new buyers such as Bosnia and Herzegovina are advancing. Baykar’s high export-contract figures at defense expos underline continued demand.
Period
Development
Note
2014
Entered service
Turkish military
2019
First major exports
Ukraine, Qatar
2020
Karabakh campaign
Azerbaijan
2021
First NATO-member buyer
Poland
Post-2022
Heavy combat use
Ukraine
2024–2026
New buyers
Kuwait, Croatia, Bosnia
Delivery and milestone timeline
Date
Event
Institution / country
Source
2014
First flight
Baykar
Baykar / Wikipedia
2014
Entered service
Turkish military
Baykar
2015–2016
First armed strike / operational use
Turkish military
Wikipedia
2019
First major export deliveries
Ukraine, Qatar
Baykar
2020
Used in Karabakh campaign
Azerbaijan
Press
2021
First NATO-member buyer
Poland
Baykar
2022–2026
New buyers + 1M+ flight hours
28+ countries
Baykar / Militarnyi
Technical specifications
Feature
Value
Class
MALE armed unmanned aerial vehicle
Wingspan
12 m
Length
6.5 m
Max take-off weight
700 kg
Payload
150 kg (4 hardpoints)
Engine
Rotax 912 (~100 hp, internal combustion)
Engine source
Imported (Austrian) — localization under way
Service ceiling
≈8,200 m (25,000+ ft)
Endurance
up to 27 hours
Comms
Line of sight + SATCOM (TB2S variant)
Munitions
MAM-L / MAM-C / MAM-T, Bozok, L-UMTAS (Roketsan)
A Polish Air Force TB2 at Radom 2023 — Poland was TB2’s first NATO-member buyer. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC).
Engine: Rotax 912 and localization
TB2 currently uses the Austrian Rotax 912 internal-combustion engine (~100 hp). Driven by export controls and supply security, Türkiye prioritizes engine localization. TB2’s engine should not be confused with the indigenous PD-170 used on ANKA and TB3, which is a higher-power class.
Munitions, subsystems and manufacturer
The prime contractor is Baykar (Istanbul), which develops the autonomy software, flight control and ground control station.
Autonomy / flight control: Baykar indigenous avionics and ground control station
Manufacturer: Baykar — ~250 TB2 per year
Combat record and why it matters for Türkiye
TB2 has been deployed across many theaters — from cross-border operations in Syria and Iraq to Libya, the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh campaign and post-2022 Ukraine. This combat record has fueled its export success.
TB2 is one of the platforms that most raised the global brand value of the Turkish defense industry. Integrated with indigenous munitions (Roketsan) and mission systems (ASELSAN), it builds a self-reliant ecosystem, while export revenue supports its sustainability. TB2 is a symbol of Türkiye’s strategic leap in unmanned systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Bayraktar TB2 first delivered?
TB2 first flew in 2014 and entered Turkish Armed Forces service the same year.
How many countries operate the TB2?
Per Baykar, TB2 is in service with 28+ countries beyond Türkiye, including NATO and EU members.
Which Turkish institutions use the TB2?
The Air Force and Army, Gendarmerie, Police, the intelligence service (MİT) and the Coast Guard operate TB2.
Is TB2’s engine indigenous?
No. TB2 uses the Austrian Rotax 912 engine. It should not be confused with the indigenous PD-170; localization is under way.
How much can TB2 carry and how long can it stay aloft?
150 kg of munitions across four hardpoints, with endurance up to 27 hours.
How many TB2 are produced per year?
Baykar’s stated capacity is roughly 250 TB2 per year.
