Croatia has started nationwide testing of its recently acquired Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles and associated systems. The trials began at the “Colonel Marko Živković” barracks in Velika Gorica and will continue across the country over the coming week, both day and night, in accordance with Croatian airspace regulations.
The tests are being conducted jointly by Baykar representatives and Croatian Armed Forces personnel who completed operational and technical training at Baykar’s facility in Türkiye. The program covers all six TB2 systems, the first of which arrived in late July and was displayed during a military parade.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the TB2s will be used not only in combat roles but also for border surveillance, fire monitoring, reconnaissance, and other missions. Similar systems are currently in service in 37 countries, including NATO members.
The EUR 67.01 million contract for the TB2 systems was signed in November 2024 by Croatia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić and Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar. The procurement package includes six armed UAVs, a command-and-control center, training simulator, ground stations, data terminals, spare parts, munitions, two years of technical support from Baykar, and transportation to Croatia.
The deal was approved by the Croatian Parliament’s Defense Committee in September 2024. Under the agreement, delivery and integration were scheduled to be completed within nine months, with full operational capability expected by the end of September 2025. The Ministry has stated that the project remains ahead of schedule.