Azerbaijan's Bayraktar Arsenal: Counting Drones

Azerbaijan's use of Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War has brought the country's drone capabilities into the spotlight. The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle capable of remote or autonomous flight operations. Azerbaijan's employment of these drones, alongside Israeli Harops, in the conflict with Armenia has been widely acknowledged, with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev crediting them for reducing military casualties. While the exact number of Bayraktar TB2 drones in Azerbaijan's possession remains undisclosed, the country's interest in acquiring these drones stems from their potential to reshape military balances in the region.

Azerbaijan's use of Bayraktar TB2s in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War

Azerbaijan's use of Bayraktar TB2 drones in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was extensive and decisive. The drones were used to great effect in strikes against Armenian air defences, tanks, artillery, and military vehicles. The TB2 drones were also used for reconnaissance, locating Armenian military positions and relaying the coordinates to Azerbaijani artillery.

The TB2's role in Azerbaijan's victory was so significant that it has been described as a "game-changer". The drones allowed Azerbaijan to "find, fix, track, and kill targets with precise strikes far beyond the front lines". The drones were also used to produce propaganda videos, with footage of strikes on Armenian soldiers, tanks, and equipment posted online and broadcast on digital billboards in Baku.

The TB2's success in the conflict can be attributed to its ability to evade enemy reconnaissance. The drones either jammed enemy radar or took advantage of technical incompetence. The TB2's small size and slow speed made them difficult to detect, and their altitude put them out of range of Armenian air defences.

Azerbaijan's use of drones in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War demonstrated the effectiveness of unmanned aerial vehicles in modern warfare. The TB2's ability to carry out precise strikes and reconnaissance while evading detection changed the nature of the conflict and contributed to a decisive Azerbaijani victory.

The Bayraktar TB2's role in Azerbaijan's victory over Armenia

The Bayraktar TB2 played a pivotal role in Azerbaijan's victory over Armenia in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War. The conflict, which lasted 44 days, saw Azerbaijan's widespread use of drones as crucial in determining the outcome.

The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) capable of remote-controlled or autonomous flight operations. It is manufactured by the Turkish company Baykar Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. and was designed by Selçuk Bayraktar, who is now a folk hero in Ukraine.

Azerbaijan's use of the Bayraktar TB2 allowed them to strike Armenian targets with precision. The drones were used to locate and destroy Armenian tanks, artillery, air defence systems, and military personnel. This tactic was repeated, with Azerbaijani drones locating Armenian positions, which would then be shelled and cut off from reinforcement, before Azerbaijani forces would move in to overwhelm them.

The use of drones in this way has been described as a "fairly significant operational revolution in how wars are being fought right now". The Bayraktar TB2's ability to take out anti-aircraft systems that are designed to destroy it has changed the way wars are fought.

The success of the Bayraktar TB2 in the conflict has led to its increased prominence and use in other conflicts, including in Ukraine, Ethiopia, and Libya.

Turkey's sale of Bayraktar TB2s to Azerbaijan

The sale of Bayraktar TB2s to Azerbaijan was not without controversy, however. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh has been a source of tension in the region, and the sale of advanced military equipment has been seen by some as contributing to the escalation of hostilities. There have also been concerns about the potential use of these drones to commit human rights abuses, given Azerbaijan's poor human rights record.

Turkey's decision to sell Bayraktar TB2s to Azerbaijan can be understood in the context of its foreign policy goals and its desire to expand its influence in the region. Turkey has sought to position itself as a key player in the South Caucasus, and its support for Azerbaijan is part of this strategy. Additionally, Turkey's relationship with Armenia has been strained due to historical tensions and competing interests in the region.

The sale of Bayraktar TB2s to Azerbaijan also highlights the growing role of Turkey as a major exporter of military drones. The success of the Bayraktar TB2 in conflicts such as the one between Azerbaijan and Armenia has boosted Turkey's reputation as a leading producer of military drones. This has allowed Turkey to carve out a niche in the global arms market, particularly among countries that may have been previously blacklisted by the US or other Western powers.

The Bayraktar TB2 has become a symbol of Turkey's ambitious foreign policy and its goal of establishing itself as a regional power. The sale of these drones to Azerbaijan is just one example of how Turkey is using its military capabilities to pursue its strategic interests and expand its influence beyond its borders.

Azerbaijan's plans to use Bayraktar TB2s to gain military leverage over Armenia

Azerbaijan has acknowledged the use of Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones in the conflict, crediting them for reducing their casualties. The drones are medium-altitude, long-range unmanned combat aerial vehicles capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations. They can be equipped with precision-guided munitions and have been used to destroy enemy positions and vehicles.

The Bayraktar TB2 has been described as a "successful game-changer" by a security analyst, and Azerbaijan intends to use the drones to reshape the military balance in the region in its favour. The drones were first delivered to Azerbaijan in 2020 and played a significant role in their victory in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War.

Azerbaijan's interest in the Bayraktar TB2 stems from its desire to replicate Turkey's successful drone strikes in Syria and Libya. Turkey is a staunch supporter of Azerbaijan in the dispute with Armenia and has provided financial assistance for weapons purchases. The acquisition of Bayraktar TB2s aligns with Azerbaijan's foreign policy priority of restoring its territorial integrity and eliminating the consequences of the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The use of Bayraktar TB2s by Azerbaijan has raised concerns among experts and observers. Hikmet Hajiyev, a foreign policy adviser to the President of Azerbaijan, stated that the drones provided by Turkey and Israel have helped Azerbaijan provide security for its citizens. However, others worry that the use of such advanced drones could escalate the conflict and cause further destruction.

Azerbaijan's use of Bayraktar TB2s to destroy enemy positions and vehicles

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has praised the capabilities of the Turkish drone, saying that they show Turkey's strength and empower Baku. Hikmet Hajiyev, the foreign policy adviser to the president of Azerbaijan, has also stated that the drones helped provide security for Azerbaijani citizens.

The TB2 is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations. It is monitored and controlled by an aircrew in a ground control station, including weapons employment. It carries precision-guided MAM-L (Smart Micro Munitions).

Azerbaijan's use of TB2s has been part of a broader strategy to gain military leverage over neighbouring Armenia, with which it has been in conflict since 1988 over border disputes and control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Turkey, a staunch supporter of Azerbaijan in the dispute, has provided military assistance, including the sale of TB2 drones.

The use of TB2s by Azerbaijan has had a significant impact on the conflict with Armenia. Defence expert Rob Lee believes that Azerbaijani drone strikes may have caused serious destruction on the Armenian side. However, it is unclear if Azerbaijan will be able to gain any significant advantage from this success. The conflict between the two countries remains ongoing, and the ultimate outcome is yet to be determined.

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