Turkish UAVs suffer high attrition in Libya

Many of the Bayraktar TB2 armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that Turkey has deployed to Libya have been destroyed since June, according to the UN panel of experts report on Libya publicly released on 11 December.

The first indication that Ankara was deploying UAVs to Libya was seen on 18 May, when a ship delivered a consignment of Turkish Kirpi armoured vehicles to the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli. The panel of experts noted that two Ford 2533 trucks fitted with elevating platforms were also unloaded from the ship and retrospectively concluded these were for Bayraktar TB2 ground control stations, with the platforms being used to raise their communications antennas.

The report also included cargo manifests showing that An-12 transport aircraft carried parts and support equipment for at least three complete UAVs from Turkey to Misrata Air Academy in late May and June. These deliveries coincided with a report that another eight Bayraktars were being shipped to Libya. Satellite imagery also showed small aircraft shelters being constructed at Misrata.

The panel of experts said two Bayraktars were destroyed in airstrikes on Misrata Air Academy on 6 and 7 June. The strikes were claimed by the Libyan National Army (LNA) faction that is trying to overthrow the GNA. A third Bayraktar was shot down on 30 June. The LNA then attacked the new shelters at Misrata on 15 August.