Turkey has delivered the first Bayraktar TB2 tactical drones to Kuwait, marking the handover with a formal event at Ali Al Salem Air Base.
The acquisition stems from a $367 million agreement to enhance Kuwait’s aerial autonomous capabilities for missions including strikes, surveillance, border and maritime security, and search and rescue.
The package also includes vital sustainment and logistics components.
The Kuwait Times reported that the inauguration featured a technical showcase of the drone’s features, a live demonstration flight, and a facility tour for Kuwaiti officials, who also met with local Bayraktar operators.
This procurement makes Kuwait the 29th country to operate the Bayraktar TB2—an unmanned platform with a proven track record in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, and Azerbaijan.
The TB2 is a 7-meter-long drone with a 12-meter wingspan, powered by a 100-horsepower engine. It is equipped with GPS, electro-optical and infrared cameras, a laser rangefinder, and pointer.
It has a top speed of 120 knots (222 km/h), a maximum endurance of 27 hours, a 150-kilometer range, and can operate at altitudes up to 8,230 meters.
Kuwait’s Air Force had already conducted preliminary testing of the system in February in the Kisah region.
