The Bayraktar TB2, a Turkish combat drone, played an important role in helping Ukraine against Russia. The makers also claim that success made many buyers line up to get Bayraktar TB2.
Selcuk Bayraktar, together with his brother Haluk, control the Baykar company that produces the Bayraktar drones. They claim that the whole world is a consumer of its flagship drone.
"The Bayraktar TB2 did what it was supposed to do, which was to destroy some of the most advanced anti-aircraft and artillery systems and combat vehicles. So the whole world became a customer," Selcuk said.
The Bayraktar TB2 has been described by Ukraine several times as capable of destroying Russian convoys or military vehicles. This drone is adored by Ukrainians, even the Mayor of Kyiv named some of the animals at the local zoo after Bayraktar. There is even a special worship song for Bayraktar.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan claims that international demand for the Bayraktar TB2 and new model Akinci drones is very high. Selcuk is Erdogan's son-in-law, married to the president's daughter.
Selcuk himself opposed the Russian invasion. "It was an illegal invasion so TB2 helped honorable people in Ukraine to defend their country," he said.
Russia is not inaction, where it is claimed their new laser weapon could blind satellites and destroy drones. But Selcuk, a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said the range of such weapons was limited and ineffective against Bayraktar TB2. "The reach is limited," he said.
Currently, Baykar is working on a new generation of Bayraktar TB2 with foldable wings that can take off and land on short runways like on an aircraft carrier.