Bayraktar TB2 UAVs Take to Albanian Skies
The first Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) delivered to Albania conducted their maiden flights on March 4 after assembly. The first Bayraktar TB2 UAV to join the Albanian Armed Forces took off from the newly inaugurated Kuçova NATO air base on the same day.
Baykar Defense, in a statement on its official Twitter account, described the day as historic and said:
"The first NATO Tactical Air Base in Albania has been opened. The opening of Kuçova Air Base marks the beginning of a new era for the security of the Balkans and Europe. With this ceremony, Bayraktar TB2 UAVs have entered the inventory of the Albanian Armed Forces. Thus, the Albanian Armed Forces have added an air vehicle to their inventory that meets NATO standards for the first time."
Bayraktar added in his statement: "The deployment of our Bayraktar TB2 UAVs at this strategic location is an important indicator of our contribution to the security of Albania and the fraternal Balkan region. As Baykar Defense, we will continue to contribute to regional and global security with our innovative technologies."
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and Albanian Defense Minister Niko Peleshi also shared videos of the Bayraktar TB2s entering inventory on their social media accounts. Defense Minister Peleshi said in his post: "A NATO air base with modern infrastructure for our fleet of armed helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as the Alliance's fighter jets, is being opened; this will also take the training of our aviators to another level and give our country a new geostrategic importance."
Baykar Defense signed an export contract with Albania for the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicle in 2022. With this contract, the Bayraktar TB2 has been exported to its 27th country. The contract includes the delivery of 3 TB2s and the training of 30 personnel.
Following the hands-on training of operators and technical personnel that began in January 2024, Albania has added the Bayraktar TB2s to its inventory in a short period of time.
Write Comment