Kosovo receives new Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones

PRISTINA, Kosovo

Kosovo’s prime minister on Sunday announced that the Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) purchased from Türkiye have arrived in the country.

Albin Kurti shared a photo of the Bayraktar TB2 UAVs on his social media account with the caption "Kosovo is now even safer."

Posing in front of the Kosovo-flagged Bayraktar TB2 along with Defense Minister Armend Mehaj and Kosovo Security Force (KSF) Commander Bashkim Jashari, Kurti stated: “We have added the Bayraktar TB2 UAVs, which we purchased from Türkiye as a state, to our army's inventory! During our two-year administration, we have increased the number of soldiers by over 80% and the military budget by over 100%. Kosovo is now even safer!”

Kurti also reported that the training for KSF officers on the use of UAVs has been completed.

No information was provided regarding the number of Bayraktar TB2s purchased by Kosovo.

The Kosovo Security Forces received five of Türkiye's Bayraktar TB2 drones in early May amid the largest international exercise, Defender Europe 23.

The Turkish combat drones are considered pivotal in conflicts ranging from Karabakh to Ukraine.

People in several countries started fundraising campaigns to buy more of the useful drones for Kyiv to fight Russia.

*Written by Aysu Bicer