Turkey and Poland have signed a deal for the sale of Turkish-made combat drones, making Poland the first NATO and European Union member country to purchase Turkey’s TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles, Turkish President Erdogan said. The agreement was signed during Polish President Andrzej Duda’s three-day visit to Turkey. Under the deal, Poland is set to receive 24 armed drones, ground control stations and data terminals. The first drone is expected to be delivered next year. 

Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak told the TB2 drones “have proven themselves in wars” and added that the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles would be serviced by a military company, without giving further details. Additionally, Erdogan said, “We are one of the best countries regarding unmanned aerial vehicles. We feel great pleasure in sharing our experience, capability and potential with our NATO ally Poland. With the document that was just signed, Turkey will, for the first time in its history, be exporting Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to a country that is a member of NATO and the EU.”

Authorities in fellow NATO member Turkey say the country has become the world’s fourth-largest drone producer since they increased domestic production to reduce reliance on Western arms. Turkish defence technology company has sold its TB2 armed drone to Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Qatar and Libya. Erdogan said that Saudi Arabia was also interested in buying Turkish drones in March 2021.

On the other side, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told media last year that his country is interested in buying Turkish armed drones. “We are considering buying Turkish drones and we will see if we can reach an agreement with the Turkish manufacturer,” Vucic said. Over the last few years, the two countries have gotten closer despite having their differences. The two countries have been focusing on trade and economic cooperation along with the pledge work together on the defense front as well.