Affordable, battle-tested, and geopolitically potent—Turkish drones are reshaping Africa’s wars, shifting alliances, and raising new security risks.
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As Jihadist fighters continue to wreak havoc with a series of simultaneous attacks on military posts across numerous towns in Mali, the Junta government—with its limited capacity and international support—is scrambling to prevent the threat of an imminent Islamist takeover. Since 2012, several jihadist groups, most notably the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), have been fighting Malian security forces.
In 2020 and 2021, Mali’s Junta seized power through two successive coups. Yet, the security crisis has only exacerbated. While the see-saw battle continues, the Junta government, desperate to shift the tide, has turned increasingly to Turkish drones in a bid to regain control.
In fact, Mali is not alone in its use of Turkish drones; its neighbours, Burkina Faso and Niger—both members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—have also deployed these drones to combat rebel groups in their territories. In July 2024, through a series of drone strikes on rebel camps of the Permanent Strategic Framework for the Defense of the People of Azawad (CSP-DPA), the Malian Army eliminated at least 20 armed fighters. In November 2023, the security forces of Burkina Faso successfully neutralised an attack by approximately 3,000 terrorists in the town of Djiba.
Türkiye has become the world’s top drone exporter, and Africa is its fastest-growing market.
Previously, the Ethiopian government under Abiy Ahmed utilised Turkish drones to effectively manage the Tigrayan uprising, which lasted over two years, from November 2020 to November 2022. Additionally, Turkish drones played a crucial role in assisting the Libyan Government of National Unity in countering Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s offensive. It is no surprise that African leaders have hailed these drones as ‘game changers’.
In recent years, Türkiye has emerged as a significant global player in the security domain. In 2024, Türkiye's defence and aerospace exports had reached an all-time high of US$7.1 billion. Furthermore, Africa arguably contributes the most sizable chunk of these exports. Türkiye's arms exports were formerly restricted to Tunisia and Mauritania. However, it has now started to export military services to at least 18 African countries, representing an increase of 103 percent.
In recent years, Türkiye has become the world’s top drone exporter, and Africa is its fastest-growing market. Several Turkish companies—including Aselsan, Baykar, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Havelsan, Lentaken, and Roketsan—are involved in producing drones in addition to a wide range of military equipment. This includes electronic surveillance systems, combat helicopters, missiles, naval platforms, and mine-clearing tools.
Among these, the combat drones developed by Baykar—particularly the Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı models—have gained immense popularity. These Turkish drones are increasingly being adopted by military forces across diverse regions: in Africa (Ethiopia, Togo, Niger, Libya), Europe (Poland, Ukraine), the Middle East (Qatar, the United Arab Emirates), and Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan).. According to SaSAD—the umbrella organisation for Türkiye’s defence and aerospace manufacturers—exports surged to a record US$5.5 billion in 2023, with Ankara aiming for US$10 billion by the end of 2025. This burgeoning sector is supported by over 1,500 domestic companies, employing nearly 100,000 people.
Türkiye has become the world’s largest exporter of unmanned aerial vehicles, surpassing China and the US
A particular edge of several Turkish drones on the market is that they are considerably more affordable than those from established manufacturers in the United States (US) and Israel. Additionally, Türkiye’s arms export control mechanisms are less formalised and stringent than those in the US and most European countries. This combination has sparked significant interest in Turkish drones from nations that lack the defence budgets for more expensive military technologies. As a result, Türkiye has become the world’s largest exporter of unmanned aerial vehicles, surpassing China and the US, and this growth shows no signs of deceleration. On the contrary, exporting military drones has emerged as a critical foreign policy tool for the Ankara government.
Furthermore, Türkiye’s rise as a significant exporter of military technology, especially drones, carries important implications. It allows Ankara to forge new geopolitical alliances and expand its influence through military technology sales, maintenance, and upgrades. This growth undoubtedly boosts Türkiye’s strained economy and also creates skilled job opportunities. Additionally, it enhances Türkiye’s soft power, as many countries are increasingly intrigued by drones as a cutting-edge solution for various operational challenges.
Nonetheless, importing Turkish drones into Africa has significant regional and international security implications. Their presence among extremist groups in the Sahel adds a complex layer to an already challenging situation and may worsen existing vulnerabilities. The use of weaponised drones by groups such as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) marks a significant escalation in the capabilities of Salafi-jihadi factions in the region. This shift indicates sophistication, as these groups have transitioned from using drones for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to offensive operations. Moreover, the widespread availability and affordability of commercial drones, which can be easily modified for military use, complicate efforts to counter the growing threat posed by non-state actors in the region.
Türkiye’s rise as a significant exporter of military technology, especially drones, carries important implications.
Furthermore, the proliferation of drones in the Sahel poses not only a military challenge but also a humanitarian crisis. Extremist groups frequently use camouflage and deception tactics, blending in with civilian populations, which enhances the risk of civilian casualties in drone strikes.
Therefore, African governments must carefully consider these factors before importing Turkish drones or unmanned aerial vehicles. More importantly, this trend signifies a shift in reliance toward a new supplier, transforming the region into a fresh battleground for drone exporters. While the indiscriminate importation of drones offers short-term solutions for countering rebels, it may ultimately create a ‘Trojan Horse’ effect, inviting unforeseen negative consequences into their territories.
Samir Bhattacharya is an Associate Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation.
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Dr. Samir Bhattacharya is an Associate Fellow at Observer Research Foundation (ORF), where he works on geopolitics with particular reference to Africa in the changing ...
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