Ukraine conflict: Baykar to construct UAV service centre in Ukraine

Baykar will establish a UAV repair and service centre in Ukraine. Pictured is the company's Bayraktar TB2, which is operational in Ukraine. (Baykar)

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 31 July that it has signed an agreement with Turkish company Baykar for the construction of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) repair and maintenance service centre in Ukraine.

The contract is within the scope of a framework agreement signed between Ukraine and Turkey in January 2023 to co-operate in the field of high technology, aviation, and space.

According to the State Secretary of the MoD of Ukraine, Kostiantyn Vashchenko, the base will be established in the near future and will support a policy to strengthen the country's indigenous military repair capabilities.

At the time of publication, the Ukrainian MoD had not responded to Janes regarding when and where the service centre will be built.

Baykar is also in the process of establishing a UAV manufacturing centre in Ukraine. In October 2022 the company's CEO noted that the manufacturing plant would be completed in two years' time. The location of the factory has been decided, although this is understandably not public knowledge.