(ANSA) - ISTANBUL, 01 SEPT - Turkish-made 'Bayraktar TB2' combat drones are the most exported in the world.
This was stated to Anadolu Haluk Bayraktar, managing director of the Baykar company that produces them, adding that the share of exports in the company's exports has reached 98%.
To date, more than 400 'Bayraktar TB2' and 20 examples of another model called 'Bayraktar Akinci' have been produced.
The company currently has the capacity to produce 200 'Bayraktar TB2' per year but aims to increase production to 500 next year.
"We are looking to increase production capacity through large investments each year," Bayraktar said.
According to the Turkish press, the number of countries where drones are exported has reached 24. Among them, Ukraine which bought drones from Turkey even before the conflict with Russia and continued to do so even after the onset of hostilities at the end of February.
Last year, Poland became the first member of NATO and the European Union to announce its intention to purchase drones from Turkey and, according to the Balkan press, Romania also indicated its intention to purchase drones.
Baykar is a private Turkish company founded in 1986. For years engaged in the automotive sector, in 2005 the first drone prototype was presented.
Technical director Selcuk Bayraktar, brother of CEO Haluk, is the son-in-law of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
(HANDLE).
