Azerbaijan has opened a training facility and hanger for a new Akinci drone, confirming the country bought the Turkish-made combat system.
The February 9 ceremony also involved a flight of the Akinci, according to the Azeri government. The chief technology officer of Akinci manufacturer Baykar, Selcuk Bayraktar, posted images of the event on X, formerly known as Twitter.
President Ilham Aliyev
Attendees included Bayraktar, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev and his son Heydar Aliyev, as well as other high-ranking officers.
The training facility is for UAV operators, while the hanger will serve as a maintenance headquarters.
R – L: Selcuk Bayraktar and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev with his son Heydar Aliyev
Azerbaijan had quietly purchased the Akinci. In March 2022, Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar said during a news conference that three nations were interested in buying drone type. According to the company, the first group of Azeri pilots for the Akinci completed training in October 2022.
Top Photo: Chief Technology Officer of Baykar Selcuk Bayraktar and President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ilham Aliyev with his son Heydar Aliyev
Source: Defense News