Experts have stated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has turned the tide in favor of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA).
This was also achieved thanks to the supply of Turkish-made drones, in addition to ‘Korkut’ anti-aircraft guns, according to Der Spiegel newspaper.
Turkey has also delivered several ‘Bayraktar TB2’ combat drones to the government in Tripoli.
This is currently the most successful product in the Turkish defense industry, as Ankara itseld has been using the ‘Bayraktar TB2’ since 2014.
Turkey is currently the only country that uses unmanned aerial vehicles for combat purposes, over its territory.
Reports suggest that drones have brought decisive benefits to the Turkish army in its fight against the Kurdish PKK. Turkey has also been successfully using its drones in other conflict areas such as Syria and Iraq.
President Erdogan’s son in law, Selcuk Bayraktar, is a developer of UAVs. Under Erdogan’s leadership, the country has become a major drone producer.
During its intial manufacturing of drones, Turkey relied on technology from the United States and Israel.
Deterioring relations have forced it to develop its own systems.
Ankara hopes to become militarily independent and has systematically expanded its domestic armaments industry.
The country began producing 20 percent of its own armaments, now it has reached about 70 percent, with President Erdogan stating “One day we will get to the point where we will no longer be dependent on others”.
The President wants to establish his country as a major arms supplier to expand its status as a regional power.
The Stockholm Peace Research Institute ‘Sipri’ has ranked Turkey 14th among the world’s largest arms exporters.
Its report stated that the main customers are smaller countries such as Turkmenistan and Oman, but Pakistan, Qatar and Ukraine have also purchased weapons from Turkish producers.
Arms exports are expected to increase from the current figure of around €2.8 billion euros, to more than €9.3 billion a year. To this end, the country is working on the further development of drones.
The first Turkish main battle tank is to be completed next year.
In addition, the army is to be equipped with a Turkish assault rifle, instead of the standard German G3.
By 2030, the Air Force hopes to have a fully functional fighter aircraft developed in Turkey.