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Turchynov said Ukraine had already launched production of tactical UAVs of various modifications and specifications
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksandr Turchynov says Ukraine is negotiating with Turkey on the purchase of Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Speaking with journalists during a visit to the Kyiv Armored Plant on Thursday, Turchynov said "negotiations are under way to purchase this unmanned complex," an UNIAN correspondent reports.
In addition, Turchynov said Ukraine had already launched production of tactical UAVs of various modifications and specifications.
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"But when we talk about unmanned aircraft, we still have a weak spot – these are combat drones, i.e. those that can perform reconnaissance and also reliably hit a target. Only the Chernihiv radio equipment factory (Chezara) produces such UAVs, but they're so far only tactical level type," he said.
According to Turchynov, Ukraine needs unmanned aviation of tactical-operational, operational and, in the long term strategic level, i.e. able to hit targets at a longer range.
"The Bayraktar project, i.e. negotiations with our partners, is just a step forward, namely the transition to the operational level. It is not just a reliable reconnaissance UAV, it is a powerful strike drone," he added.
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Turchynov said Ukraine is further expanding the range of its defense capabilities.
UNIAN memo. The Bayraktar Tactical UAS is a surveillance and reconnaissance system initially developed for the Turkish Armed Forces. Bayraktar currently holds the national endurance and altitude record for Turkish aviation. Bayraktar set a record for autonomous flight endurance when it flew 24 hours and 34 minutes at 18,000 feet on August 5, 2014. Bayraktar furthermore holds the altitude record with 27,030 feet on its flight on June 14, 2014 with full payload weight.