Polit Affairs - Drones in recent years have changed course of conflicts in many regions and despite old expectations, new military powers have emerged because of their Drone potentials. Iran and Turkey are the main new drone powers and they know how to properly use their weapons. but which one has been more effective and which is more advanced?
Over the last 2 years, drone strikes have shifted the trajectory of conflicts from Yemen and Libya, through to the Caucasus , Ethiopia and even Ukraine. By looking at the world’s most prolific drone powers, such as Iran and Turkey, it becomes clear that the new drone age has altered the rules of war.
Based on a report from Washington Post, it is estimated that more than 100 countries are trying to develop or acquire drone technologies. among them, there are those powers who we normally used to see. like United States, Russia, China and Israel. but Iran and Turkey in the restless region of Middle East have also risen to the top of this technology and are already challenging their opponents and exporting their products.
Comparing drones of these two neighboring countries is not easy, because there are serious differences in the technology and scope of their UAVs. though, we can do a comparison between just two similar models, which have already proven their efficiency in different conflicts.
First of all, Turkey has limited models of drones. their best has been Bayraktar TB2 for many years and the newly introduced Akinci has not yet been tested in the battlefield. Iran though, has more than 10 types of different drones for different tasks and has produces them in 1000s.
secondly, Turkey is not sanctioned like Iran. so they not only have to chance to receive many vital parts for their drones from abroad, but they can also sell their final products to who ever they want. therefore, technologies used in Turkish drones are also more complicated and up-tp-date.
Thirdly, Turkey manufactures drones in a way, to use them as the main weapon in the battlefields. Iran's strategy is different. they tend to use their drones are able to fly in coordination with ballistic missiles, to provide a mixed attack on target. so drones for Iran is still in the second important place as strategic weapons.
Now, to compare with Turkish Bayraktar TB2, the best and closest Iranian version, could be Shahed 149 or the Gaza Drone.
Length: 6.5 / 11 m
Wingspan: 12 / 21 m
Max. take-off mass: 700 / 3200 kg
Engine: Austrian Rotax 912-iS which is in service since 1984 / it's not clear that Turbo Prop 650 engine of the Iranian drone is being manufactured inside Iran or simply purchased else where.
Maximum speed: 220 km/h / 350 km/h
Range: up to 4,000 km / Up to 5000 km
Service ceiling: 25,000 ft / 35000 ft
Endurance: 27 hours / 35 hours
Finally TB2 can y 4 guided missiles / while Gaza can carry 13 missiles.
So as you see, Gaza seems to be more powerful than TB2 at least based on the specifications. there is also one proof for that. The Bayraktar TB2 despite it's real efficiency, has been numerously taken down in Libya, Karabakh war and specially Ukraine war, mostly by Russia Pantsir system. on the contrary, Gaza's younger brother. Shahed 129 which has been in servicer for several years, has not been used in a full fledged war like TB2, though has many faced US systems many times, and was never shot down or taken. #drone #iran #turkey #military #war Subscribe for more videos 🙏🏻
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