Turkey to donate two Bayraktar TB2s to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ankara will provide Bosnia and Herzegovina with two Bayraktar TB2 multi-purpose drones along with ground equipment and training for crews. This was reported by Deutsche Welle, citing a statement by the country's Defence Minister Zukan Khelez.
Here's What We Know
According to Khelez, the drones will be transferred free of charge and will directly belong to the state. They will be under the control of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is in line with the model of centralised command of troops in the country. The exact timing of the transfer and commissioning is not yet disclosed.
The supply of Turkish drones is seen as part of a policy of deepening strategic cooperation between Ankara and Sarajevo. At the same time, it demonstrates Turkey's increasingly active role in the Western Balkans region, where Ankara is consistently increasing its influence through defence and infrastructure projects.
The Bayraktar TB2 is a combat-proven multi-role UAV with the capability of reconnaissance, targeting, and precision strikes. The drone is used in the armies of more than 30 countries and has already proven itself in conflicts from Syria to Ukraine.
Neighbouring Balkan countries are also gradually arming themselves with these drones. In 2024, Croatia purchased six TB2s worth $91 million, Albania received drones under contract in 2022, and the Kosovo security forces have already been in service with five of these devices since 2023.
Source: Deutsche Welle
