Somalia will reportedly receive an undisclosed number of Bayraktar Akıncı UCAVs, which have greater firepower than Bayraktar TB2 armed UAVs in use.
Wall of Africa Journal reported the procurement of the Akıncı UCAV to add more to the Somali’s UAV fleet. Bayraktar TB2s in use with Somalia’s armed forces have already given an edge in counter-terrorism operations against the Al-Shabab terrorist organisation with their armed ISR capability.
The addition of Akıncı UCAV can allow Somalia to perform larger-scale operations, considering the fact that Akıncı has a wide portfolio of munitions heavier than MAM-L. These mainly include 250 to 2000 lb general-purpose bombs with various guidance kits (HGK, LGK, TEBER, KGK...). More powerful munitions mean Somali can target important buildings utilised by the terrorist organisation.
Other users of Akıncı UCAV in Africa include Libya, Ethiopia, and Burkina Faso.
Turkiye has been contributing to Somalia’s defence and stability on both military and economic planes, and the supply of UCAVs is one aspect. This also applies to other African countries that have acquired various platforms from Turkiye.
