Turkish Drone Industry Up in the Air After Search for Iranian President's Crash Site
A Turkish Drone in the Spotlight: Analysts predict a potential boom for Turkish drones after a Bayraktar Akinci, manufactured by a company owned by President Erdoğan's son-in-law, was credited with finding the crash site. This drone boasts impressive features, according to Baykar's website: high altitude capability (40,000 feet), extended flight time (24 hours), advanced radar systems, and AI-powered electronics.
Ideal for Finding Trouble: Aviation expert Tolga Özbek highlights the drone's strengths: powerful engines, high speed, and a sophisticated heat-detecting camera, perfect for pinpointing crash sites in challenging locations like the mountainous, fog-covered area where Raisi's helicopter went down. Özbek emphasizes the rarity of drones with such a combination of features.
Beyond Military Might: While Baykar touts the Akinci's air-to-ground and air-to-air combat capabilities, Özbek sees this mission showcasing the drone's potential beyond military operations.
A War of Words: Iran disputes Turkey's claims. After initial reports of Turkey providing the crash site coordinates, Iran countered, stating their own drones were responsible for the discovery.
NATO's Technological Edge: Ryan Bohl, a Middle East analyst, suggests that Turkey's NATO membership grants access to advanced Western technology, giving their drones a competitive advantage over Iranian models. This includes superior radar detection, which could be crucial in search and rescue scenarios.
The tragic helicopter crash of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has sparked a debate, but it might also give a boost to the Turkish drone industry. Here's why:
Labnetdm 🕘 05/24/2024
Sanctions Hinder Iranian Drones: Bohl points out that US sanctions make it difficult for Iran to procure parts for advanced drone production. Additionally, countries like China might be wary of supplying technology that could be used in Iranian attacks.
Turkey's Strategic Play: This mission, according to Bohl, reignites interest in the Turkish drone industry, which saw a decline with less use in the Ukraine war. Furthermore, it allows Turkey to assist a US rival (Iran) without straining relations with Washington. Bohl views this as a perfect example of Turkey's strategic maneuvering as a middle power.
Cooperation Despite Differences: Despite conflicting interests, like supporting opposing sides in Syria, Turkey and Iran have displayed cooperation on the world stage. A meeting between Erdoğan and Raisi in January focused on de-escalation in the Gaza conflict.
Marketing Opportunity: Economist Timothy Ash sees Turkey's recent drone use as a prime marketing tool. He highlights the challenging flying conditions during the search mission.
Uncertain Outcome: While the true role of the Turkish drone remains unclear, the mission has undoubtedly put the Turkish drone industry back in the spotlight, with potential positive consequences for its future.