Turkish-Made Bayraktar TB2 Military Drones Enter Service in Croatia
Croatia has inducted six Turkish-built Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial systems into its armed forces service, expanding the country’s surveillance and strike capabilities.
The ceremony was held at Colonel Marko Živković Barracks in Pleso, where one of the drones conducted a flyby.
The commissioning builds on a November 2024 initiative worth about $95 million to support Zagreb’s broader defense modernization program aimed at replacing outdated Soviet-era equipment and improving NATO interoperability.
Demonstracija moćne letjelice Bayraktar TB2: nastavljamo graditi još moderniju i snažniju #hrvatskavojska! 🇭🇷✌️
Potpredsjednik @VladaRH i ministar obrane @ivananusic12 s načelnikom Glavnog stožera OSRH general-pukovnikom Tihomirom Kundidom nazočio je demonstraciji operativne… pic.twitter.com/PkDGuckzHa
— MORH/MoD Croatia (@MORH_OSRH) September 2, 2025
The Balkan state’s new remotely-piloted aircraft fleet will be operated by the 125th Fighter Reconnaissance Squadron of the Croatian Air Force, local sources reported.
Alongside the drones, Istanbul manufacturer Baykar will provide the unit with corresponding weapons, ground control stations, encrypted data terminals, training simulators, vehicles, spare parts, and two years of on-site technical support.
Col. Andrej Tijan, commander of the 125th Squadron, said that the first group of Bayraktar pilots completed training in Turkey between April and August, while another group is scheduled for sessions next year.
Proven System With Flexible Use
The Bayraktar TB2 is currently operated by 37 countries, including several NATO members, and has seen extensive deployment in conflicts across Ukraine, Libya, Syria, and Nagorno-Karabakh.
It is designed for reconnaissance, surveillance, electronic warfare, and precision strikes in both day and night conditions.
Officials also indicated the drones could support civilian tasks in Croatia, such as border patrols, wildfire detection, and agricultural monitoring.
The platform measures 7 meters (23 feet) in length with a 12-meter (39-foot) wingspan. It is equipped with GPS receivers, electro-optical and infrared cameras, a laser designator, and a 100-horsepower internal combustion engine.
The drone can reach a top speed of 120 knots (222 kilometers/138 miles per hour), operate for up to 27 hours, and has a range of 150 kilometers (93 miles). It has a service ceiling of 8,230 meters (27,000 feet), allowing operations at high altitude in diverse conditions.
