Polish Defence Minister Announces Purchase of 24 Bayraktar TB2 Drones

Poland will purchase 24 Bayraktar TB2 armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) from Turkey, Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak told Polish Radio Saturday.

This first sale of Turkish Drones to a NATO  country breaks the monopoly of U.S. and European UAVs that  NATO partner countries have previously acquired.

“We have signed a contract for the purchase of four sets, that is, 24 aircraft armed with anti-tank missiles,” Poland’s Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak said told Polish Radio 24, announcing the purchase of Bayraktar TB2 armed drones.

Giving reasons for selecting the Turkish drones, he said, "They have proven themselves in war."

The combat drones will be armed with anti-tank projectiles. Poland will also buy a logistics and training package along with the aircraft. First shipments will arrive in 2022, Turkish media reported quoting local sources.

The value of the contract has not been mentioned.

The drones have assault capabilities and have "proven themselves in wars in Eastern Europe," Blaszczak said. He added that the UAVs would be serviced by a military company, without giving further details.

Last Wednesday the minister had teased the acquisition of the Turkish drones on his Twitter page.