Turkish company to manufacture Bayraktar drones in Ukraine in 2025
Turkish company Baykar has received licences to manufacture Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in Ukraine, the plant scheduled to open in 2025, local newspaper Yeni Akit reports.
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"We have received the relevant licensing permits from Türkiye for the full production of Baykar TB2 and Akıncı unmanned aerial vehicles in Ukraine," Bayraktar CEO Haluk Bayraktar was quoted as saying.
The total planned investment in the Ukrainian plan is estimated at USD 95.5 million.
Back in 2019, Baykar established Avia Venture LLC to open two plants in Ukraine. On behalf of Baykar, this company will build the plant where Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı will be produced.
According to Haluk Bayraktar, most of the preparatory work is already underway, and the plant is expected to be electrified in July.
Not only the Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı heavy drone, but also the Kızılelma unmanned fighter aircraft and other equipment of the company are planned to be assembled in Ukraine.
The Akıncı UAVs will be powered by Ukrainian MS-500 and AI-450 engines, depending on the customer's choice, while the Kızılelma will be equipped with Ukrainian AI-25 engines.
The project was facilitated by the signing of a framework agreement between the governments of Ukraine and Türkiye on cooperation in the aerospace industry in February 2022, Yeni Akit reports.
The agreement, which aims to encourage direct investment and create favourable conditions for technology transfer and production use between the two countries, provides for special tax and customs benefits for Turkish investors in the aerospace industry of Ukraine until January 2035.
