Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited.
by Sergey Adamov
[REGNUM] Based on the results of the year, it can be stated that Bayraktar drones are generally capable of performing tasks in theaters of military operations where a layered air defense system has not been created. But in the presence of serious resistance “on the ground”, the effectiveness of drones is significantly reduced. The Ukrainian conflict clearly shows that when meeting with a more serious enemy, Bayraktar often becomes prey than a hunter.
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Military operations in Ukraine, among other things, became the first confrontation in recent decades with modern means of attack from the air and air defense. In this sword-and-shield battle, drones made by NATO countries, as well as various types of rockets, collided with Russian air defense installations of all kinds. It is too early to sum up the results of this struggle. However, the events of 2022 allow us to draw some preliminary conclusions about the effectiveness of certain types of weapons.
Over the past years, one of the most recognizable or, one might say, the most advertised types of weapons has become the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 attack drone. Drones of this type have shown themselves in Syria, Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh and, according to rumors, in a number of other conflicts in Africa and the Middle East.
Perhaps it was this advertisement that prompted the Ukrainian command to purchase Bayraktar drones for the needs of their Air Force and Navy. In 2020-2021, according to various estimates, from 50 to 70 drones were delivered to Ukraine.
However, in the skies of Ukraine, Bayraktar, for unknown reasons, “did not pull”. If from Syria and Karabakh video recordings of the work of drones of this model came almost daily (sometimes two or three times a day), then in the zone of the NMD drones of this model lit up literally in the first two or three weeks of the conflict, after which they disappeared from view MEDIA.
There is not much data on the use of Bayraktars in the NWO zone, however, the network maintains open statistics on the losses of drones of this type. Lostarmour forum experts analyze photos and videos taken in military conflict zones around the world, keeping statistics on the loss of military equipment. Each unit of military equipment is fixed and has its own serial number. Such statistics, although not the ultimate truth, but allows us to draw some conclusions, if not with absolute certainty, then on very specific grounds.
As of December 28, the statistics of the portal included 15 Bayraktar TB2 drones, the destruction of which was confirmed. Most of the cars (11 pieces) were shot down between February and July 2022.
This figure can be many times higher, but often the wreckage of downed vehicles falls on the territory controlled by Ukrainian troops, which makes it impossible to photograph and video record the fact of destruction.
The last fact of the loss was recorded in September 2022, although it is possible that the car itself was hit earlier.
Based on these facts, we can conclude that by the summer of this year, the Ukrainian command gradually began to abandon the use of Bayraktars in the war zone due to high losses from air defense fire and / or fighter aircraft. In the autumn-winter battles, drones did not take a significant part at all.
It can also be argued that at this stage of the conflict, the calculation of the Ukrainian command for Turkish drones did not materialize. Although back in July, the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine made attempts to send drones deep into Russian territory - to the Belgorod and Kursk regions. In these raids, at least three drones were lost, after which they preferred to abandon the use of Bayraktars to perform such tasks in Kyiv.
Bayraktar's failures in Ukraine can be explained in different ways. Most likely, we are talking about a reassessment by the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine of the capabilities of the “miracle weapon” - on the one hand, and on the other, about the study by the Russian military of the tactics of using drones of this model in other military conflicts.
An example is the military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh, where, according to open statistics, only two Bayraktar TB2 drones were shot down, despite the fact that the use of drones, in fact, became the key to Azerbaijan's military success in the conflict.
At the same time, it is known about the destruction of at least 12 Turkish drones during military operations in Syria (February-August 2020) and at least 15 drones in the skies over Libya (2020-2021).
In the last two conflicts, export versions of modern Russian air defense systems were used, which chalked up most of the downed Bayraktar TB2 drones. The Armenian armed forces mainly used Soviet air defense systems, which became prey for drones.
It can be stated that the products of the Turkish military-industrial complex are generally capable of performing tasks in theaters of military operations where a layered air defense system has not been created. But in the presence of serious resistance “on the ground”, the effectiveness of drones is significantly reduced. The Ukrainian conflict clearly shows that when meeting with a more serious enemy, Bayraktar often becomes prey than a hunter.
In conclusion, it is worth citing the statement of the head of the military air defense of the Russian Armed Forces, made in an interview with the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper on December 26, 2022.
According to Leonov, the air defense forces involved in the Special Military Operation account for up to 60% of the loss of enemy air targets. Among them are three thousand drones.
These data are generally confirmed by information about the losses of the Ukrainian Air Force, taken from open sources. Kyiv's bet on attack drones, made back in 2020, did not justify itself.
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