When the Turkish Army first used the Bayraktar TB2 drones in operations against the terrorist organisation PKK on the Syrian border in 2015, few could have predicted that these aircraft would become a recognised symbol of a new era of warfare–one that is cheaper, more mobile, and more efficient. Since then, Bayraktar drones have played a key role in conflicts in Syria, Libya, Ukraine, and especially in Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan has regained control of territories that fall under its constitutional jurisdiction under international law thanks to these systems.
Now, Bosnia and Herzegovina is getting these drones for the first time. Türkiye has donated two Bayraktar TB2s to Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with control stations and personnel training. The Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed this information, remarking that this is "a message of support for state institutions and a clear partnership between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Türkiye."
Bayraktar drones "under the command of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina"
According to Minister of Defence Zukan Helez, who spoke to the Federal News Agency, "Bayraktar drones will not cost Bosnia and Herzegovina anything," and the drones will be owned by the state. Stating that the drones would be under the command of the joint personnel of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Helez indicated that the defencecapacities of the state would be strengthened.
Türkiye's aid comes at a time when countries in the region are racing to modernise and arm themselves: Serbia is buying Chinese-made drones and missile systems and French-made Rafale multi-role fighter jets; Kosovo is arming itself; Croatia is buying Rafale, as well as Western-made helicopters and aircraft; and Montenegro is investing in airspace border surveillance systems. Meanwhile, authorities in the Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina are threatening to create their own "army," even though the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are the only legally recognised army in the country.
Military and political support to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Analysts argue that the delivery of the Bayraktar drones represents not only a strengthening of the military in this context but also the symbolic international support for the protection of Bosnia and Herzegovina's territorial integrity, as well as its constitutional and legal order.
Military-political analyst Nedzad Ahatovic regards this as an affirmation of Türkiye's status as a reliable regional partner and producer of military technology that offers allies not only political rhetoric but also concrete tools of deterrence. Ahatovic indicates that, for Bosnia and Herzegovina, this constitutes an opportunity to make a breakthrough in modern military technology and provide better technical capacity for the surveillance and protection of its territory.
Speaking to DW, Ahatovic stressed that Türkiye's donation of drones to Bosnia and Herzegovina should not only be seen as a symbolic aid but also as a "strategic step."
New technologies are changing strategies on the battlefield
Ahatovic said, "First and foremost, it is significant because it is a new military technology that radically reduces the risk of casualties and increases the first-strike hit rate to almost 100%, with almost no loss of manpower. The enemy is thus forced to change its strategy on the battlefield. Equipped with a basic weapons and fuel package, the TB2 consumes 300 times less fuel than a fighter jet and can stay in the air for up to 36 hours, which significantly changes operational capabilities."