Uzbekistan’s borders monitored using Bayraktar drones (video)

Uzbekistan’s borders are being monitored using Bayraktar drones manufactured in Türkiye. The information was disclosed by Chairman of the State Security Service, General Colonel Bakhodir Qurbоnov, during an expanded meeting of the Security Council chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on January 13, which focused on strengthening the country’s military security and defense.

According to Qurbоnov, as part of efforts to introduce modern digital technologies into the border protection and defense system, 42 percent of the state border has been equipped with video surveillance systems, while 1,117 kilometers of fiber-optic communication lines have been laid.

Border troops have been equipped with armored vehicles by 18 percent, watercraft by 86 percent, weapons and ammunition by 100 percent, and electro-optical equipment by 78 percent.

“Units have been supplied with modern unmanned aerial vehicles. Combat duty has been established for a new special unit equipped with Bayraktar unmanned aerial vehicles. The intensity and quality of combat training activities have been increased,” the general said.

No official information has been released on whether Uzbekistan has purchased Bayraktar drones from Türkiye or how many units were acquired. The presence of Turkish-made unmanned aerial vehicles in Uzbekistan first became known from photographs released during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to a military unit in Surkhandarya Region on November 16, 2023.

Uzbekistan is not only using Türkiye’s Bayraktar drones but is also producing domestically branded drones under the name “Lochin.” In addition, the country is expected to purchase ANKA drones from Türkiye in the near future.

About the Bayraktar drone

The Bayraktar TB2 is a long-endurance armed reconnaissance drone produced by Türkiye’s Baykar Makina company. It has a maximum speed of 222 km/h, a wingspan of 12 meters, can remain airborne for up to 24 hours, and has a service ceiling of 8,200 meters.

The drone can be armed with two laser-guided UMTAS anti-tank missiles with a range of 0.5 to 8 kilometers, or with four Bozok, MAM-C, or MAM-L precision-guided munitions manufactured by Türkiye’s Roketsan.

This type of drone has been used in combat operations in Nagorno-Karabakh, Syria, and Libya. Currently, Bayraktar TB2 drones are in service with the armed forces of Azerbaijan, Qatar, Libya, Morocco, Poland, Djibouti, Ukraine, as well as Kyrgyzstan’s Border Service.

According to media reports, these drones have already been sold to 22 countries, including Morocco, Niger, and Ethiopia.

The Bayraktar drones were developed by Selçuk Bayraktar, the son-in-law of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.