Romania orders three 18-drone Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles worth $321 million

Romania's Ministry of Defence announced in late summer 2022 that it wanted to purchase three Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles. Now, more than six months later, a deal has been struck with Baykar.

Here's What We Know

The Romanian Defense Ministry planned to spend $300 million to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles. As a result, the purchase of three aviation complexes cost the country $321 million. Each complex includes three Bayraktar TB drones, i.e. Romania will get 18 UAVs in all.

Unmanned aerial systems will go into service of the Romanian Army. In addition to three drones, the complex includes ground control stations and additional equipment, including for the training of operators.

Apart from Turkey, only one NATO country is currently operating Bayraktar TB2 drones. It is Poland, which a few days ago received its second unmanned aerial vehicle system (of four) at a cost of $67 million.

Romania plans to increase its defence budget to 2.5% of GDP by the end of 2023. It was recently reported that the government plans to purchase fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters to upgrade the air force.

Source: Defence News