Turkish defense firm Baykar said its first jet-powered unmanned aerial combat vehicle (UCAV) completed its maiden flight on Wednesday. The company has recently gained global popularity due to them helping the Ukrainian army. Bakyar rose up to the spotlight for becoming a major exporter and manufacturer after their popular Bayraktar TB2 drone was featured prominently in global conflicts. International demands of Bakyar’s propeller driven drones has skyrocketed after the impact shown in Syria, Ukraine, and Libya, where their laser-guided armor-piercing bombs helped repel an offensive by UAE-supported forces two years ago. Bakyar claims that the UCAV will increase the carrying capacity and speed of existing drones in Turkey. As well as that the Kizilelma ( a UVAC) will be able to conduct air-to-air interactions. Indonesia and Malaysia have expressed their interests in purchasing drones from Turkey, whereas the United Arab Emirates already have 20 delivered to them. Bakyar is planning to finish construction of a manufacturing plant in Ukraine. Turkey plans to convert their pre-existing vertical take-off carrier into a drone carrier which will serve as a base for the Kizilelma as well as other Turkish drones.
These Turkish drones are incredibly important due to the fact that drones are the next cycle of military development. Because these drones are cheaper than manhandled airplanes, they can produce more drones for the prince; kind of getting more of a bang for your buck. These drones are very effective, the Turks have been producing them as well as using them. The article mentions that Bakyar is expanding its manufacturing points to Ukraine and that its first expansion outside of Turkey in two years. This shows that they are willing to expand their production capabilities to other countries. They’re using other world conflicts, such as Ukraine’s situation, to expand their footprint in the military market for military drones. This is causing militaries across the world to have a major increase in lethal capabilities. Air forces used to not be that developed but now due to how effective and cheap these drones are all of the countries are now getting in on it. In my opinion, this is kind of bad because now any country can own these highly effective drones which completely changes warfare.
In class we’ve discussed the core of reciprocity in the liberal theory which relates back to this articles main focus of how Turkey is expanding their manufacturing points and allowing various countries to purchase these drones. Those would say that Turkey providing such cooperation with everyone can better bond their relations with other countries leading to a higher prevalence in peace. In the liberal approach they focus on the emphasize in reciprocity regarding communication, negotiations, trade, business etc. with countries.