The Drone War: The Use of Bayraktar in Various Conflicts

During the conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation, a remarkable variety of drones has been deployed. From kamikaze drones dropping munitions and octocopters dropping bombs, to remotely piloted aircraft the size of conventional planes, the diversity of unmanned aerial vehicles is significant, writes Popular Mechanics.

“Currently, we are witnessing a war of drones. This could be the first large-scale war where military and commercial drones are used so extensively,” noted drone system expert and advisor at the Center for Naval Analyses and the New American Security Center, Samuel Bendett.

The article lists drones such as the air target simulator (KBLA ITC), Orion, Forpost, ZALA 421, Granat-4, Orlan-10, Orlan-30, E95, Zastava, Tachyon, and Eleron-3.

Particular attention is paid to the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones, which have become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance and a popular theme in songs across the country.

“This success is not surprising. Bayraktar has proven to be an effective combat drone in several previous conflicts. It has achieved notable successes against Russian equipment in Libya and Syria. In 2020, Azerbaijan utilized them against Armenia, where the drones played a decisive role, destroying hundreds of tanks. The Bayraktar TB2 is typically armed with four laser-guided MAM-L anti-tank missiles. In addition to thwarting Russian air defense systems and destroying fuel convoys, the drones have sunk patrol boats and set ablaze oil reserves in Bryansk, across the border from Russia,” the article states.