TB2 drones on Georgia’s radars: We want to follow in Turkey’s footsteps

A Georgian drone manufacturer will follow in Turkey’s footsteps in a bid to emulate the stellar performance demonstrated by Ankara’s domestically produced Bayraktar TB2 drones as it develops its own unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), according to local reports.

According to a report aired on local TV channel Business Media Georgia, Tbilisi Aircraft Manufacturing, a drone manufacturer, is using the Bayraktar TB2 drones as a “blueprint” for the T-31 model currently in production after Turkish-made UAVs had drawn praise from across the globe for their battlefield success in countries like Libya and Syria.

“We have every intention of using Turkey’s experience,” the firm was quoted as saying in the report, noting that the stellar performance of Turkey’s TB2 drones will be used as a “benchmark” for the T-31 model, which has been in production since 2019.

In December, a report by U.K. news website The Guardian had revealed that the British military is expected to follow the example of Turkey’s success as it embarks on a new armed drone program with a focus on “cheaper and more effective” unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) after Azerbaijan used Turkish drones to secure its historic victory against Armenia in Karabakh.

The Bayraktar TB2 armed UAV was developed and manufactured by Turkish defense company Baykar Technologies.

It has been used by the Turkish Armed Forces and Turkey's Security Directorate since 2015, most recently credited for Azerbaijan’s military success in the Karabakh conflict.

The TB2 armed UAV was developed for tactical reconnaissance and surveillance missions; it can also carry ammo and conduct assaults with a laser-target designator.