Kyrgyzstan Orders Byratkar Drones from Turkey, Orlan-10E UAVs from Russia

Kyrgyzstan had ordered Bayraktar drones from Turkey besides Orlan-10E UAVs from Russia, Deputy Head of the Kyrgyz government, Kamchybek Tashiyev was quoted as telling local reporters on Friday.

"Currently, funds are allocated from the republican budget for the purchase of Bayraktar drones from Turkey. Such drones are in five countries of the world, one of them will be our country. Drones will arrive in the near future," Tashiyev said.

Kyrgyz specialists are being trained in Turkey to handle the Bayratkar drones.

"We are also acquiring Orlan 10E drones from Russia, the state has allocated funds for this," Tashiyev said.

While Bayratkar can be configured for various missions including attack and reconnaissance, the Orlan-10E is a reconnaissance and surveillance.

Its first international sale was to Myanmar in January this year. If the  Kyrgyzstan order is confirmed, it will be the second export success for Russia for this type of drone and a challenge to other drone powers in the world including Turkey, China and Israel.

Earlier this year a Russian 155mm Msta-S howitzer was guided by an Orlan-10 drone to prove its ability to function as a precision artillery target location system.