Growing Concerns in the Greek Media
Recent reports from Greek media outlets have highlighted the rapidly widening gap in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology between Turkey and Greece. Publications such as Pentapostagma emphasize that Greece remains years away from mass-producing its own drones. These sources point to bureaucratic hurdles and outdated regulations as significant obstacles hindering the development of Greece’s defense industry. Concerns are raised within Greek military circles about falling behind technologically and being ill-prepared for modern warfare scenarios, with statements such as, “Turkey is far ahead. We are not ready for this war.”
Bayraktar TB-3’s Advanced Capabilities Highlight Turkey’s UAV Superiority
Supporting the Greek media’s concerns are Turkey’s notable advancements with the Bayraktar TB-3. According to reports, the TB-3 has successfully completed a series of advanced tests showcasing optical line tracking, aircraft carrier detection, and precise landing angle estimation through ground view methods. The UAV logged an impressive 1,167 hours of flight time, demonstrating its endurance and operational efficiency. Moreover, the TB-3 executed precision strikes using supersonic missiles in coordination with the TB-2, illustrating a sophisticated level of integration within Turkey’s UAV fleet. These achievements reinforce Turkey’s strategic advantage in UAV technology.
Baykar’s Export Successes Contrast Greece’s Struggles
Greek media also point to Baykar’s export achievements as evidence of Turkey’s growing influence in the global UAV market. Data from the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM) and the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) show that Baykar has led defense and aviation exports for three consecutive years (2021-2023). In 2023 alone, Baykar recorded $1.8 billion in exports, securing deals for its TB-2 drones with 35 countries and the Akıncı model with 15 countries. Greek sources compare these figures to Greece’s lagging UAV development, emphasizing the urgent need for Greece to modernize its defense capabilities to keep pace with Turkey’s rapid technological progress.
