“Turkey and Egypt Forge New Deal: Unmanned Aerial Allies on the Horizon”
Turkey has consented to supply drones to Egypt, a decision that follows the recent normalization of relations between the two nations after a prolonged period of discord.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to travel to Egypt on February 14 to engage with his counterpart, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. This marks his inaugural visit since the restoration of diplomatic ties to the ambassadorial level last year.
Erdogan and el-Sisi are anticipated to deliberate on bilateral and regional matters, encompassing trade, energy, defense, and security.
As reported by Reuters, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that reestablishing ties with Egypt is crucial for acquiring specific technologies, and Turkey has already formalized a deal with Egypt to deliver drones and additional technologies.
The Bayraktar TB2 is recognized as a tactical military drone. It possesses the capability to ascend at altitudes ranging from 20,000 to 27,000 feet (approximately 8,000 meters), carry a payload of 150 kilograms, and remain airborne for up to 25 hours without interruption.
This drone can execute tasks such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and the immediate neutralization of targets both during daylight and nighttime operations. It furnishes the Turkish Armed Forces’ operations centers with real-time intelligence gathered during its aerial missions, and it is adept at engaging specific threats using onboard munitions and missiles.
Key specifications of the Bayraktar TB2
- Length: 11.2 meters
- Wingspan: 12 meters
- Height: 3.2 meters
- Unloaded Weight: 420 kg
- Loaded Weight: 650 kg
- Maximum Speed: 250 km/h
- Operational Range: 6,000 km
During the World Defense Show, the Egyptian Minister of Military Production convened with his Turkish counterpart to explore collaboration on the joint manufacturing of munitions.
The World Defense Show 2024 commenced on Sunday in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, and will persist until February 8, featuring more than 750 exhibitors, 45 nations, and 115 delegations, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
