At yesterday‘s session, the Croatian government authorized the Ministry of Defense to proceed with acquiring the Turkish unmanned aerial system, Bayraktar TB2.
Following a public procurement process for the period from 2024 to 2026, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Croatia presented a decision at the session to acquire the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial system, totaling 95 million dollars, or 86.424.252 euros. Out of this, the Ministry will pay 84.6 million euros, with 20.2 million euros allocated for this year, 37.5 million euros for 2025, and 27 million euros for 2026, as reported by Croatian media.
“The Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia have expressed the need for the prioritized and urgent acquisition of the armed unmanned aerial system Bayraktar TB2. Baykar Makina San. Ve Tic. A.S. submitted an informational offer and proposed configuration for the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial system for the Republic of Croatia in a ‘comprehensive package’ model. This configuration includes six aircraft equipped with electro-optical cameras for reconnaissance, including an initial set of weaponry, and provides dual radio coverage for the entire territory of Croatia in both stationary and mobile versions,” explained Defense Minister Ivan Anusic.
In addition to the aircraft with cameras and weaponry, the package includes a command and control center, a training simulator, ground control stations, ground data stations, an initial set of spare parts sufficient for 4.000 flight hours, all necessary maintenance equipment and tools, a two-year warranty or up to 4.000 flight hours, on-site presence of experts in Croatia for a period of two years, training at a center in Turkey, and transport of the entire package to Croatia.
At yesterday’s session, the Croatian government also approved the Ministry of Defense to assume budget obligations for maintaining Rafale aircraft and preparatory steps for procuring Leopard tanks.
Source and Photo: Anadolu Agency
