Romania’s military have asked parliament to buy Turkish drones that proved decisive in the war between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and more recently, in the war in Ukraine.
Turkish Bayraktar TB2 combat drones at Incirlik air base, Turkey, 25 May 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE/Leszek Szymanki
The Romanian Ministry of Defence has sought parliament’s approval to buy three Bayraktar TB2 systems from Turkey at an estimated cost of 300 million US dollars, according to a document submitted to the legislature.
The Romanian ministry wants to buy three Bayraktar TB2 UAS systems of six aerial platforms each, more precisely 18 drones, with target-striking capabilities, an initial logistical support package and specific training and training equipment.
“We are talking about 18 drones and the logistics support package and training elements. The price is estimated based on the information available to the Ministry of Defence. The final price will be discussed after the approval of parliament and will be determined after negotiations,” Brigadier General Constantin Spanu, a spokesperson for the Defence Ministry, said.
He added that the estimated 300 million US dollars program to buy the drones from Turkey also includes expenses that presuppose its implementation. “To use a new military weapon, you need induction, training, logistics package, spare parts, maintenance lines. All these expenses are added to the costs,” added Spanu.
In its request to parliament, the ministry explains that acquisition of the Bayraktar TB2 uncrewed aerial vehicle systems, UAS, would help implement the Capability Targets assigned to Romania within the NATO defence planning process and modernisation of the Romanian army until 2040.
Turkish military experts told BIRN that the Bayraktar TB-2 is a powerful tool to both boost military exports and project Turkish influence.
Bayraktar drones gained notoriety in the Azerbaijani-Armenian war over the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 and even earlier in Lybia in 2018.
Azerbaijan, supported by Turkey and the Bayraktar drones, showed its superiority over the old Russian Pantir-S missile systems of the Armenian army.
Bayraktar drones also proved helpful to Ukraine after the Russian invasion of February 24, especially in the first weeks of the war, when the Turkish drones stopped the Russian tanks and armoured vehicles from entering Kyiv.
Source link: balkaninsight.com
