Turkey delivers 2 Akıncı armed drones to Somalia amid tensions with US. Turkey delivered two advanced Bayraktar Akıncı unmanned combat aerial vehicles to Somalia on Tuesday amid tensions with the US over Ankara’s deepening military, energy and aerospace cooperation with Mogadishu, officials told Middle East Eye.
Somalia’s newly appointed Minister of Ports and Marine Transport Abdulkadir Mohammed Nur, who previously served as defense minister, announced the delivery
The Bayraktar Akıncı, developed by Turkish defense contractor Baykar, is a strategic-class combat drone with greater firepower than the TB-2 model that has been widely used in various conflicts. It can fly for over 24 hours with a 6,000-kilometer range and reach an altitude of 30,000 feet.
The UCAV features triple-redundant satellite and line-of-sight communication systems with artificial intelligence for signal processing and situational awareness. It includes automated flight controls and landing systems.
Somalia’s government aims to use these drones against increasing al-Shabab attacks on its forces and infrastructure, allowing for precision strikes and surveillance of militant movements to weaken the group’s capabilities.
Somalia and Turkey signed a comprehensive naval, trade and defense agreement in February 2023 under Nur’s leadership.
Washington was displeased with Turkey’s plans to establish a spaceport in Somalia and potentially launch rockets, which could be perceived as long-range ballistic missile tests.
