By Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
It is not often that a weapon system is proving so popular that countries are waiting in line to buy it. Ironically, this appears to be the current situation with the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). Already in service with or on order by 27 countries other than Türkiye, the TB2’s commercial success currently looks to be without bounds. With new export agreements being signed with more countries to this day, there is little doubt that the TB2 will go down in history as world’s most successful UCAV both in terms of export clients and numbers sold. In this capacity it is now consistently beating its main two competitors on the drone market of China and Israel, whose products though more attractive than expensive (and exclusive) Western wares or underperforming and politically-laden Iranian ones have shown their own deficiencies. The TB2’s success should come as little surprise to those that examined the system in combat, as the TB2 is arguably the first UCAV that manages to combine reliability and affordability with devastatingly effective results on the battlefield: a capability keenly looked for in the 21st century.
List Of UCAVs Ranked By The Number Of Confirmed Export Clients













Although best well for developing the TB2, Baykar Tech produces several more types of UAVs that have found success on the international market. Two of these, the Bayraktar Mini UAV and Bayraktar Akıncı, have meanwhile both entered service with four countries. The novel features of the Bayraktar Kızılelma also positions the system to one day become an export success.
Confirmed Operators Of Baykar Tech Products
Bayraktar TB2
Türkiye [2014]
- Army
- Navy
- Gendarmerie General Command
- Coast Guard Command
- General Directorate of Security
- National Intelligence Organization
Qatar [2019]
- Reconnaissance and Surveillance Center (WESCAM MX-15D)
Libya [2019]
- Air Force (WESCAM MX-15D And ASELSAN CATS)
Ukraine [2019]
- Air Force (WESCAM MX-15D)
- Navy (”)
- Main Directorate of Intelligence (”)
Azerbaijan [2020]
- Air Force (WESCAM MX-15D And ASELSAN CATS)
Turkmenistan [2021]
- Air Force (HENSOLDT ARGOS-II HDT)
Morocco [2021]
- Air Force
Ethiopia [2021]
- Air Force (ASELSAN CATS)
Kyrgyzstan [2021]
- State Border Guard Service (ASELSAN CATS)
Pakistan [2022]
- Air Force (HENSOLDT ARGOS-II HDT And ASELSAN CATS)
Djibouti [2022]
- Air Force (ASELSAN CATS)
Burkina Faso [2022]
- Air Force
Rwanda [2022]
- Air Force
Togo [2022]
- Air Force
Niger [2022]
- Air Force
Nigeria [2022]
- Air Force
Poland [2022]
- Air Force (WESCAM MX-15D)
Mali [2022]
- Air Force (ASELSAN CATS)
Bayraktar Akıncı
Türkiye [2021]
- Army
- Air Force
Bayraktar Mini UAV
Türkiye [2007]
- Army
- General Directorate of Security
Qatar [2012]
- Army
Libya [2020]
- Army
Ukraine [2022]
- Army
Future Operators Of Baykar Tech Products
Bayraktar TB2
Albania [Unknown]
- Air Force
United Arab Emirates [Unknown]
- Air Force
Bayraktar TB3
Türkiye [Unknown]
- Navy
Bayraktar Akıncı
Azerbaijan [2022]
- Air Force
Pakistan [2022]
- Air Force
Kyrgyzstan [2023]
- Air Force
Bayraktar Kızılelma
Türkiye [Unknown]
- Air Force
- Navy
Bayraktar VTOL UAV
Türkiye [Unknown]
- Army
Prospective Operators Of Baykar Tech Products
Bayraktar TB2
Bulgaria
Finland
Latvia
Lithuania
Slovakia
Hungary
Romania
Kosovo
Serbia
United Kingdom
Iraq
Kazakhstan
Tajikistan
Oman
Saudi Arabia
Bangladesh
Indonesia
Angola
Bayraktar Akıncı
Bulgaria
Saudi Arabia