Image source: topwar.ru
Romania is becoming the next European country to purchase Bayraktar TB2 attack drones, the country's Defense Ministry has already signed a contract for the supply of a batch of Turkish-made drones. This is reported by the local press with reference to sources in the military department.
The Romanian military announced their desire to purchase Turkish drones in September last year, despite the negative experience of using these drones in Ukraine. At the same time, a request for approval of a potential deal was sent to the country's parliament. Details of the discussion are not given, as a result, the deal was approved and the Romanian Defense Ministry signed a contract with Baykar Makina for the supply of Bayraktar TB2.
According to available data from open sources, Romanians are purchasing three sets of UAVs, special equipment for training and an initial logistics package. The drones are designed to equip the Romanian Ground Forces, one complex includes six drones and two ground control stations. Thus, Bucharest is purchasing 18 (eighteen) Bayraktar TB2 UAVs as part of the reform of the Ground Forces until 2040. The cost of the transaction will be $ 231 million, Bucharest allocated $ 300 million for it.
The delivery dates have not yet been announced, but it is assumed that the first drones will enter service with the Romanian Armed Forces no earlier than next year. According to unofficial information, Bayraktar TB2 has already been purchased by 23 countries, including three European ones - Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine.
The Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drone is an aircraft-type UAV. The wingspan is 12 m, the length is 6.5 m. The maximum take-off weight is 650 kg, can carry two high-precision ammunition MAM-L weighing 21.5 kg and two MAM-C weighing 7 kg, allowing to hit targets at ranges from 2 to 8 km. The duration of the UAV flight is up to 24 hours, the range in the line of sight is up to 150 km.
