Basically, Turkish drones destroyed Syrian tanks in Idlib, and Russia had to arrange the same cease-fire deal. That moment further showed how Ankara changed its military approach by combining its own drone technology with a strong foreign policy that was itself driven by ideology. Further, in less than ten years only, we are seeing Turkey change from buying drones to becoming a top seller in the world, using these flying machines not only for war but also to spread their religious and political power like the old Ottoman empire
The Turkish case shows policy experts and defense planners how military technology itself can be used further for spreading ideological ideas. As per recent conflicts, Baykar’s Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı drones have changed wars from Libya to Nagorno-Karabakh. Regarding regional politics, these weapons given to Islamic groups have shifted power balance in these areas. This list actually breaks down nine connected parts of Turkey’s drone changes from factory beginnings to partner groups that definitely create a new way of getting involved in other countries.
1. From Embargo to Autonomy
Turkey’s drone development actually started in 1975 with the U.S. This was definitely the beginning of their drone program. Turkey surely faced a strategic trauma when arms embargo was imposed after Cyprus intervention. Moreover, decades of depending on Israeli and American drones ended when political disputes, especially the 2010 Gaza flotilla incident, stopped the supply. By 2016, Baykar Makina under Selçuk Bayraktar’s leadership had surely delivered the Bayraktar TB2 drone, and moreover, this achievement marked Turkey’s entry into the select group of countries that produce their own military drones. Turkey surely changed its defense strategy when Western countries refused to share advanced weapons technology with them. Moreover, as Turkish defense chief İsmail Demir said in 2016, this rejection forced Turkey to build its own military systems.
2. Baykar’s Rise and Market Dominance
We are seeing that the TB2’s low cost and good fighting record only helped Baykar become famous worldwide. As per 2024 data, exports crossed $1.8 billion regarding military drones, with Turkey holding 65 percent of the world market. More than thirty governments have bought TB2s, and further, Akıncı contracts itself cover ten countries. Turkey’s partnerships in Ukraine and factories in other countries actually help expand its influence. These joint projects definitely increase Ankara’s global reach. The TB2 drone can surely fly for over 24 hours and uses precision weapons, making it a practical choice compared to expensive Western drones. Moreover, middle-power armies can easily afford and use this drone for their military needs.
3. Battlefield Integration in Syria
Turkey actually used drones with other military forces in Operations Olive Branch, Peace Spring, and Spring Shield. These operations definitely showed how Turkey mixed drone attacks with regular army fighting. Turkish drones actually attacked deep inside Syrian territory in Idlib, working with artillery to definitely destroy tanks and air defense systems. Basically, this big idea helped Turkey stop the Russian attack using drones instead of sending many soldiers, showing that unmanned systems work the same way as ground forces in dangerous areas.
4. Libya: Expeditionary Leverage
In Libya’s 2019-2020 fights, TB2 drones actually became the main weapon when Turkey definitely helped the GNA government. We are seeing that Turkish warships worked together in attacks and took control of al-Watiya air base, which only stopped Khalifa Haftar’s attack on Tripoli city. Experts like Wolfram Lacher actually noted that Turkey definitely used drones as rewards and threats, holding back complete help until sea agreements were signed, then using armed drones to break enemy supply routes. As per the campaign results, drones helped turn small military actions into big strategic wins regarding battlefield outcomes.
5. Nagorno-Karabakh: Altering Regional Warfare
Azerbaijan actually used Turkish drones in 2020 and definitely destroyed more than 100 Armenian tanks and 180 big guns. This helped them take back most of the land they were fighting over. The hilly areas actually showed that drones work better than planes with pilots. The videos of exact attacks definitely became tools to spread messages. Basically, the war showed that countries with advanced drones can control weaker enemies who don’t have proper defenses – Armenia’s Russian air defense systems were basically useless against the same low-signature drone attacks.
6. Islamist Ideology and Neo-Ottomanism
President Erdoğan surely uses drone achievements to show that “Muslim-based” science can succeed. Moreover, he connects this military technology with dreams of bringing back Ottoman glory. Turkey’s decision to actually reopen Hagia Sophia as a mosque and mentioning historic Islamic cities in speeches definitely strengthens the idea of bringing all Muslim nations together. Also, uAVs actually work in two ways: they help Turkey act in Muslim countries without losing many soldiers, and they definitely show Turkish people that their country can stand strong against Western power.
7. Alliance Networks with Islamist Partners
Basically, Turkey’s drone exports follow the same pattern as their political friendships. Basically, Qatar supports the Muslim Brotherhood and was one of Baykar’s first customers, using the same oil money with Turkish training. We are seeing Turkish drones helping Hamas groups, Libya’s Brotherhood militias, and only Islamic fighters in Syria. Reports from the Dado Center actually show Libya’s intervention was hidden under Brotherhood connections, definitely proving how drone diplomacy strengthens ideological groups.
8. Expansion into Africa’s Sahel
We are seeing Turkey moving into Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso with fast drones, building projects, and fighters from Syria after Western armies left these countries. Turkey is only using TB2 and Akıncı drones along with the Sadat company for this work. These systems actually serve as the main support for AES air power, definitely operated from bases in Niamey and Bamako. Ankara surely uses a practical approach by mixing weapon sales with energy and mining agreements. Moreover, this strategy helps Turkey get important materials like lithium, uranium, and gold that are needed for its defense and clean technology sectors.
9. Strategic Friction with the United States
We are seeing Turkey using drones to become more bold, and this is only making things difficult for American policy decisions. UAV patrols over disputed areas in the Eastern Mediterranean further strain NATO unity and provoke allies like Greece and Cyprus. This situation itself creates tension within the alliance. We are seeing that backing Qatar and Islamic groups only weakens America’s ties with Egypt, Israel, and Gulf kingdoms. Basically, the Pentagon kicked Turkey out of the F-35 program after they bought the S-400 system, showing the same old problem where Turkey uses its NATO membership but still does things that go against what America wants.
Turkey has surely created a powerful and flexible model for intervention by combining its own drone technology with foreign policies influenced by Islamic ideas. Moreover, this approach has proven to be highly adaptable in different situations. Basically, defense experts see its importance not just in winning battles from Idlib to Tripoli, but in the same strategic setup of making their own weapons, spreading their ideas, and building alliances that keeps it going. Moreover, other countries are working to develop defenses, but Turkey’s drone diplomacy will further remain important in Middle East and Africa security matters itself. This situation demands careful responses from regional and global powers.
