Latest Turkish developed UAVs displayed at defense exhibition

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Latest Turkish developed UAVs displayed at defense exhibition

2024-10-25 15:21 Last Updated At：17:17

Latest Turkish developed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were unveiled at the on-going fourth edition of Türkiye's leading international defense and aerospace exhibition in the capital city of Istanbul.

Organized by SAHA Istanbul, one of the largest clusters of the European Aerospace Cluster Partnership, the five-day Saha Expo Defense and Aerospace Exhibition that started on Tuesday has attracted more than 300 delegations from 120 countries and is attended by 1,400 companies, according to the expo's official website.

As one of the world's most important defense exhibitions, this year's event showcased over 300 high-tech products, covering cutting-edge technologies such as drones, warships, and aerospace equipment. Breakthroughs in drone technology became the focal point of the exhibition.

A major highlight of this exhibition was the debut of the Bayraktar TB3, a significant upgrade from the earlier TB2 model. The TB3's standout feature is its capability to take off and land on aircraft carriers, making it more versatile. It's more than just a reconnaissance drone; with advancements in AI autonomous technology, the TB3 can now independently execute precise strike missions in addition to autonomous flight.

The Bayraktar TB3 UAV not only continues the TB2’s capabilities in precision strikes, long-range flights, and strong stealth on the battlefield but also represents a technological leap forward.

With a wingspan of 14 meters, the TB3 UAV is designed for carrier-based operations, enabling it to take off from aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. This capability significantly extends its combat radius and enhances its operational flexibility. Additionally, the TB3's payload capacity has been increased to 280 kilograms, allowing it to carry more powerful weaponry systems for various missions.

Also draws visitors' attention at this year's exhibition is the Talay UAV, designed specifically for maritime operations.

Meaning "Ocean Warrior" in Turkish, Talay's standout feature is its exceptional stealth capability. This drone can cruise at altitudes as low as 3 to 5 meters and even as low as 30 centimeters above sea level, allowing it to evade radar detection effectively. This unique low-altitude flight capability makes Talay particularly suitable for maritime missions.

Talay UAV boasts a flight speed exceeding 200 kilometers per hour and a flight endurance of 3 hours. Therefore, the Talay UAV is described as a "sharp blade" for sea operations as it is capable of executing high-speed strike operations.

"Its low altitude. Stabilization is based on the AI actually. Second subject is target locating, [it is] using AI visual process. Lastly, it uses the AI in the present point, returning the present point," said Esad Ceker, UAV development specialist.

The use of AI technology enable both the new-generation carrier-based UAV Bayraktar TB3 and the Talay UAV to not only fly but also combat as AI allows these UAVs to analyze data in real time, optimize tactical decisions, and improve combat efficiency while minimizing the need for human intervention.

"Communication, and decision-making algorithms that work together that can replace each other. Then for example, they navigate from point A to navigate to point B they don't need any interference from human being. They solve all the problems. This is part of the combat experience," said Ozgur Eksi, defense industry expert.

UAE's OPEC exit long expected, may ease oil prices after Iran war ends: experts

The United Arab Emirates' (UAE) exit from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the broader OPEC+ is unlikely to jolt oil markets in the short term, but sets the stage for lower prices once the Iran conflict ends and Gulf exports resume, experts said.

Effective Friday, the UAE formally withdrew from OPEC in a move poised to reshape global oil markets. The decision came amid heightened geopolitical tensions driven by the ongoing Iran conflict.

The UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei said the timing was chosen to cause the least market disruption. But analysts say the exit reflects the UAE's long-simmering frustrations over production quotas that no longer align with its capacity.

"It gives the UAE flexibility to move from a quota within OPEC of 3.3 million barrels a day to 5 million barrels a day in 2027. It won't radically change the pricing. It will make more energy available. So, it will take some of the price pressures off," said John Defterios, senior advisor for APCO Worldwide, a global advisory firm, and also senior fellow at the Center for Energy and Materials of the World Economic Forum.

While immediate market impact remains muted amid wartime volatility, experts anticipate meaningful shifts once regional stability returns.

"It has no impact right now, because obviously oil prices right now depend on the state of the war and whether exports can start freely through the Gulf and so on. But assume, once the war is over and a normal transit resumes, I would expect the UAE will move quickly to increase production and try to refill some of that storage that was drained. And that should mean, in general, lower prices for oil importers, for oil consumers. In the longer term, yes, I think also probably it means lower prices," said Robin Mills, CEO of Qamar Energy, a Dubai-based independent consultancy company.

The UAE's departure highlights structural tensions within OPEC+. As a low-cost producer with billions invested in upstream expansion, Abu Dhabi increasingly chafed against collective quotas.

However, other members, including Iraq and Kazakhstan, also sought higher production allowances.

"This pressure has been building up for some time. But Saudi Arabia was also in a difficult position. If it agreed to grant higher production levels to the UAE, then it would have to grant them to Iraq as well. Kazakhstan wanted more [allowance as well]. Everybody wants special treatment," said Mills.

Strategically, the move aligns with the UAE's broader vision to diversify its economy.

"They made this announcement ahead of a very important forum, Make It In the Emirates, which displays what the UAE is doing in terms of diversification outside of oil and gas. So, they want that revenue from oil and gas -- the extra 50 billion dollars a year to go into greater diversification. It's advanced manufacturing, it's artificial intelligence, it's the next wave of financial services, and it is trade," said Defterios.

The exit also signals a broader recalibration of legacy energy institutions in a world confronting new climate imperatives, geopolitical fragmentation, and energy transition pressures.

"I do think it shows definitely a world in which there's a new energy reality, there's a new climate reality, there's a new geopolitical reality. And these legacy institutions have to adapt. And if they don't, then of course, their members will either leave or at least won't take them seriously," said Mills.