Ukraine has launched the medium-altitude unmanned strike aerial vehicle Bayraktar TB2 over the Black Sea on July 8, marking its first use of strike drones during international military exercises, according to Ukrainian military portal MIL.IN.UA.
The drone took off from an airfield in Mykolaiv oblast and did a pass over the northern part of the Black Sea.
Ukraine is currently participating in the annual Sea Breeze 2021 military drills, which also include the United States and over 30 other countries.
The joint exercises are a chance to improve the Ukrainian military and a show of international support, amid Russia’s ongoing occupation of Donbas, Crimea and the Black Sea, including Ukraine’s territorial waters.
The Bayraktar drones are able to conduct surveillance, reconnaissance and armed attack missions and are a step towards a successful defense strategy for Ukraine, according to Baykar, the Turkish company that produces them.
“A feature of the exercise will be the use of strike operational-tactical unmanned aerial vehicle Bayraktar TB2 of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, which will perform various tasks during the exercise, Captain Oleksii Doskato of the Ukrainian Navy said in an earlier press release.
The training is focused on improving the compatibility and joint performance of the countries involved in the exercises, in accordance with NATO standards. It includes testing naval artillery fire and air defense measures.
Previously, the Bayraktar TB2 drones took part in the Joint Efforts 2020 strategic exercise.
The Ukrainian military practiced using the drones together with the Hurricane rocket and Alder missile systems, in cooperation with assault and naval aircraft.
