Turkish-made drones trailblazing in defense: Hungarian minister
Hungarian minister Laszlo Palkovics speaks to Anadolu Agency in an interview, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022. (AA Photo)


Turkish-made drones have made a breakthrough in defense, Hungary's Technology Minister Laszlo Palkovics said Tuesday.

In a recent visit to the Turkish capital Ankara, Palkovics met his Turkish counterpart Mustafa Varank to discuss bilateral cooperation in the field of industry and technology, especially in the defense sector.

"Hungary's army has already decided (to buy) Turkish military components," Palkovics said.

He said Hungary will seal the deal with one of Türkiye's leading armored personnel carrier manufacturers with the possibility to begin manufacturing in Hungary as well.

Türkiye has used its signature Bayraktar TB2 drone effectively over the years in cross-border, counterterror military operations, such as Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch and Spring Shield, to liberate border areas in northern Syria from terrorist groups.

The drone can fly for 24 hours and boasts a 40,000-feet (12,192 meters) service ceiling, 20-meter (65-feet) wingspan, and a carrying capacity of 1,350 kilograms (2,976 pounds).

Touching on the railway deal signed between Türkiye, Serbia, Bulgaria and Hungary, Palkovics stressed that the agreement aims to increase the countries' share of railway trade between China and Europe.

Due to the war between Ukraine and Russia, the China-Europe railway route via Russia could be rerouted to Türkiye, he suggested.

"The train from China could cross Istanbul's Bosporus tunnel to Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary in the center of Europe," Palkovics said.