Azerbaijan's Robust Arsenal: Counting Tb2 Drones

The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations. It is manufactured by the Turkish company Baykar Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. and was first used by the Turkish army in 2014. Azerbaijan has used the TB2 in military exercises and in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War against Armenia. The TB2 has been credited with helping Azerbaijan defeat Armenian-backed forces and forcing them to cede control of occupied territory. While the exact number of TB2s in Azerbaijan's possession is unclear, sources indicate that the country has purchased and deployed these drones in recent years.

Azerbaijan's use of TB2 drones in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War

Azerbaijan's use of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was a significant factor in its victory over Armenian-backed forces. The TB2 drones were used to great effect, destroying Armenian artillery, infantry positions, and military vehicles, including BM-30 Smerch MLRS, T-72 tanks, and BMP-1 and BMP-2 IFVs. The drones also targeted and neutralised Armenia's air defence systems, including nine Osa and Strela-10 air defence mechanisms.

The TB2's ability to loiter for extended periods and carry out aerial reconnaissance, in cooperation with ground forces, was instrumental in Azerbaijan's success. The drones provided accurate coordinates for targets, which were then engaged by artillery, rockets, or loitering munitions. This combination of drone surveillance and targeted strikes allowed Azerbaijan to advance swiftly and ultimately regain control of the disputed territory.

The TB2 drones were also used as a propaganda tool, with drone footage broadcast in near real-time on digital billboards in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. This footage showcaseed attacks on Armenian fighters and equipment, bolstering popular support for the war and demoralising the Armenian forces.

The acquisition of the TB2 drones by Azerbaijan is attributed to the country's wealth from oil and gas sales, which enabled significant investment in military equipment, including drones, from Turkey and Israel. The integration of these advanced drones into their arsenal gave Azerbaijan a decisive advantage in the conflict, demonstrating the evolving nature of warfare and the increasing importance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

While the exact number of TB2 drones possessed by Azerbaijan is not publicly known, it is estimated that they purchased around 24 units from Turkey shortly before the conflict. The effectiveness of these drones in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War highlighted the vulnerability of traditional military equipment and the need for effective anti-drone capabilities, as drones are able to exploit gaps in air defence systems with precision strikes.

TB2's role in Azerbaijan's victory over Armenia

The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations. It is manufactured by the Turkish company Baykar Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. and is primarily designed for the Turkish Armed Forces. The TB2 has been sold to several countries, including Azerbaijan, which deployed the drones in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War against Armenia.

The Second Nagorno-Karabakh War was an armed conflict that took place in 2020 in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding occupied territories. The war lasted 44 days and resulted in an Azerbaijani victory. The conflict was marked by the use of drones, sensors, long-range heavy artillery, and missile strikes, as well as state propaganda and online information warfare. Azerbaijan's widespread use of drones was seen as crucial in determining the conflict's outcome.

Azerbaijan's use of the Bayraktar TB2 drones played a significant role in their victory over Armenia. The TB2 drones were used for aerial reconnaissance and to provide coordinates for targets. They were also used to attack targets directly, including Armenian tanks, artillery, and air defence systems. The TB2's ability to carry out precise strikes and reconnaissance missions contributed to the destruction of Armenian military equipment and personnel. According to the UK Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, the TB2 drones were "responsible for the destruction of hundreds of armoured vehicles and even air defence systems".

The effectiveness of the TB2 drones can be attributed to their ability to carry laser-guided missiles and their relatively low cost compared to other aircraft. The TB2's smaller payload and shorter range compared to more expensive aircraft like the General Atomics Reaper make them more accessible and effective in specific contexts. The TB2 drones were likely operated by Turkish crews who had experience using them against older Russian air defences in Libya and Syria and thus knew how to exploit their weaknesses.

In addition to the TB2 drones, Azerbaijan also utilised other types of drones, such as the Israeli-made Harop loitering munition and locally-made versions of the Israeli Orbiter-1K kamikaze drone. The combination of different drone types and tactics, such as using old Russian An-2 biplanes as decoys, contributed to the success of Azerbaijan's drone-led assault.

While the use of drones was a significant factor in Azerbaijan's victory, it is important to recognise that their success was also due to good old-fashioned mechanised infantry operations that gradually took territory. Additionally, the lack of effective air defence systems on the Armenian side contributed to the dominance of Azerbaijani drones. Overall, the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War highlighted the increasing importance of drones in modern warfare and the need for military forces to adapt their strategies and technologies to counter this evolving threat.

TB2's reconnaissance and intelligence capabilities

The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations. It is manufactured by the Turkish company Baykar Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. and entered the Turkish army's inventory in 2014. The aircraft are monitored and controlled by an aircrew in a ground control station, including weapons employment.

The TB2 has been described as a game-changer in modern warfare, and its use in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war proved pivotal in Azerbaijan's victory over Armenian-backed forces. The TB2s were primarily used for aerial reconnaissance in cooperation with ground forces, providing accurate coordinates for targets. The drones were also used to attack targets directly and to find and fix targets for artillery, rockets, or loitering munitions.

The TB2's reconnaissance and intelligence capabilities are enhanced by its ability to loiter for extended periods and its advanced optics and sensors. It has a flight time of up to 24 hours and a service ceiling of 25,000 feet, allowing it to stay out of the range of enemy air defences while conducting surveillance. The TB2 is equipped with a triple-redundant avionics system and various sensors, including a Pitot static sensor, laser altimeter, and alpha-beta sensor modules. The UAV's ground control station is based on a NATO-spec shelter unit, equipped with cross-redundant command and control systems, redundant air conditioners, and nuclear, biological, and chemical filtration units.

The TB2's reconnaissance capabilities were further improved with the development of the TB2S, which features satellite communication (SATCOM) technology, greatly increasing the control range and resistance to jamming by the enemy. The TB2S made its maiden flight on December 4, 2020.

The success of the TB2 in Azerbaijan has led to its adoption by several other countries, including Ukraine, Qatar, Ethiopia, and Morocco. Its effectiveness in providing real-time intelligence and targeting data has altered the military balance in the region and highlighted the growing importance of drones in modern warfare.

Azerbaijan's purchase of TB2 drones from Turkey

Azerbaijan's acquisition of Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones has been a game-changer for the country's military capabilities, as evidenced by their deployment in the recent conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The TB2 drones played a pivotal role in Azerbaijan's victory, highlighting the country's strategic decision to invest in advanced military technology.

The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) capable of remote or autonomous operations. Its development was spurred by a US ban on exports of armed drones to Turkey. The TB2's first flight took place in August 2014, and it has since accumulated 400,000 flight hours globally. While the largest operator of TB2 drones is the Turkish military, the drone's export model has been sold to several countries, including Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan's interest in acquiring the TB2 drones stems from its ongoing dispute with neighbouring Armenia over border conflicts and control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. The low-intensity conflict between the two countries has persisted since 1988, and Azerbaijan sought to gain military leverage through the use of Turkish drones. In 2020, Azerbaijan purchased an unknown number of TB2 drones from Turkey, which were swiftly deployed in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The TB2 drones proved highly effective in combat against Armenian forces. They were primarily used for aerial reconnaissance, providing accurate coordinates for targeting. The drones were credited with the destruction of hundreds of armoured vehicles and air defence systems, contributing to Armenia's eventual defeat and the liberation of Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenian occupation. The success of the TB2 drones in this conflict brought international attention to the capabilities of Turkish-made drones and their potential impact on modern warfare.

The purchase and deployment of the TB2 drones by Azerbaijan highlight the country's recognition of the evolving nature of warfare and its commitment to modernising its military capabilities. The drones provided Azerbaijan with a strategic advantage, reshaping the military balance in the region. The success of the TB2 drones in Azerbaijan has also led to increased interest from other countries, with Turkey delivering drones to multiple nations and establishing joint ventures for local production.

TB2's effectiveness in combat

The Bayraktar TB2 is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) capable of remotely controlled or autonomous flight operations. It is manufactured by the Turkish company Baykar Makina Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. and entered the Turkish army's inventory in 2014. The largest operator of TB2 drones is the Turkish military, but an export model has been sold to the militaries of various other countries, including Azerbaijan.

The TB2 has been described as a "game-changer" in modern warfare. Its effectiveness in combat is demonstrated by its ability to carry out reconnaissance and intelligence missions, as well as attack targets. In 2020, Azerbaijan deployed TB2s in the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War against Armenia, with devastating consequences for the Armenian side. The TB2s were used to attack targets, but also to find and fix targets for artillery, rockets, or loitering munitions. According to the UK Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, the drones were "responsible for the destruction of hundreds of armoured vehicles and even air defence systems". Open-source analysis of videos captured during the conflict indicates that the TB2s destroyed around 128 tanks, 26 surface-to-air missile systems, 70 multiple rocket launchers, 14 radars or jammers, and one SU-25 warplane.

The TB2's effectiveness in combat can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, it has a low radar cross-section, making it difficult to detect and track. Secondly, it is equipped with advanced optics and sensors, allowing it to identify and engage targets with precision. Thirdly, it carries smart munitions, including laser-guided missiles, which can be deployed with devastating accuracy. Additionally, the TB2 can create a disturbing sound when approaching its targets, which can have a psychologically unsettling effect.

The TB2 has also proven its effectiveness in other conflict zones, including Syria, Libya, and Ukraine. Its success has led to increased demand and sales to numerous countries, shifting the military balance in regions such as the Middle East and North Africa. However, its widespread use has also led to foreign sales boycotts and the development of countermeasures by opposing forces.

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