Turkmenistan Parades Newly-Acquired Bayraktar TB2s

 

Turkmenistan's latest display of military might, in the form of a parade commemorating the 30th anniversary of achieving independence, once again featured the lavish marches, horse displays and rows of armoured fighting vehicles the international public has come to expect from the secluded Central Asian nation. Also showcased during this year's iteration of the parade were Turkmenistan's newly-acquired Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs).

The purchase of TB2s by Turkmenistan marks the latest in a string of acquisitions of the now infamous drone. In fact, when also including the newest recipient of the TB2, Morocco, the Bayraktar TB2 is the most commercially successful UCAV to this date in terms of country operators. Its direct Chinese competitors the Wing Loong and CH-series of UCAVs quickly gained international popularity for their low acquisition price and lack of prohibitions and restrictions commonly encountered with U.S. and European defence products, with Turkmenistan ultimately also acquiring several Chinese drone types.

 

However, the performance of Chinese UCAVs often left much to be desired, with Jordan even offering its CH-4Bs for sale less than two years after acquiring them. [1] The CH-4B fared little better in Iraq, with eight of its 20 CH-4Bs crashing within a timespan of just a few years while the dozen remaining examples are currently languishing in a hangar with a lack of spare parts. [2] [3] It is not unthinkable that Turkmenistan ran into the same problems in operating its own Chinese CH-3A and WJ-600A/D UCAVs, ultimately leading the country to acquire Bayraktar TB2s from Turkey as more cost-effective replacements.

 

Although Turkmenistan has historically operated its Chinese and Italian-made U(C)AVs out of Ak-Tepe-Bezmain air base near the capital Asghabat, it appears that the Bayraktar TB2s will be based at a newly-constructed air base designed specifically with UAV operations in mind. Located north of Ashgabat, this small air base was still under construction during President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow's visit to the area in February 2021. The observant follower of the country at that time (which appears to have been just us), could already catch a first glimpse of the drone type that would soon operate from the air base.

Note the six Bayraktar TB2s in the internal overview of the hangar

Officially known as 'The Center of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles', the drone base falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. First opened in August, 2015, the center has so far been involved in the production and assembly of several types of small drones. The expansion include a small air base with one runway dedicated to UAV operations along with hangars and all other necessary infrastructure.

The Bayraktar TB2's low cost, high serviceability rate, safety record and excellent after sales support are quickly proven to be a formula for international success. The combination of such factors with a proven combat status and the ability to quickly ramp up production essentially makes the TB2 a perfect storm, poised to take over the world market for UCAVs in this class and in the process heralding the arrival of an age of much more widespread drone warfare. Which country is next after Turkmenistan?

[2] OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE LEAD INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS https://media.defense.gov/2021/May/04/2002633829/-1/-1/1/LEAD%20INSPECTOR%20GENERAL%20FOR%20OPERATION%20INHERENT%20RESOLVE.PDF