Bayraktar busted: Pakistan's drone fiasco-How Indian radars exposed Turkish tech
Indian forces, using indigenous Akashteer air defense systems, shot down every single Turkish-origin drone in the May conflict, leaving the Turkish defense industry scrambling to defend its once-prized exports.
Why it matters
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long touted Turkish-made drones as a symbol of his 'Islamist vision' and a centerpiece of Turkey's defense ambitions. The drones were not only instruments of hard power but also a diplomatic tool for Turkish influence in Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
But as India's Akashteer system intercepted Pakistani drones with 100% accuracy, Turkey's arms export ambitions took a direct hit.
Also read:
Turkish drones to Chinese missiles, India beat them all
This collapse of performance-described by a senior Indian officer as 'not a single drone achieving its objective'-has raised fresh doubts about Turkish drones' battlefield credibility and the broader promise of Turkey's defense industry.
The big picture
Pakistan's military imported hundreds of Turkish drones, hoping to overwhelm Indian air defenses and showcase Turkish technology as a regional power equalizer.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Todos os idosos deveriam ter um desse no banheiro! Veja só!
Evite quedas e escorregões
Saiba Mais
Undo
Instead, the attack ended in humiliating defeat. Indian Air Defence officers confirmed that 300-400 Turkish drones, including Byker YIHA III kamikaze drones and Turkish-origin micro-drones like Songatri and eYatri, were neutralized in mid-air before they could even scratch Indian defenses.
A Pakistani source told Reuters that Turkish drones were meant to provide cover for manned aircraft and artillery strikes, but 'the drones failed to reach targets' as India's integrated air defenses, from legacy L70 guns to cutting-edge Akashteer radars, kicked in.
What they are saying
Michael Rubin, an analyst at the American Enterprise Institute, minced no words: 'Erdogan may offer a hard sale to promote his Islamist vision or simply to enrich his family, but the product he is selling is now subpar. Just as socialism stymies development as bureaucrats fail to adjust for competition, so too does nepotism ruin industries. Baykar, knowing it had full state support, simply stopped innovating effectively.
'
Pakistani officials have tried to downplay the losses, insisting they are re-evaluating drone deployment strategies. But the magnitude of the failure is hard to hide: Indian Air Defence sources say they recovered hundreds of drone parts along the border-clear evidence of Turkey's failure to deliver.
Zoom in
The real star of this clash? India's homegrown Akashteer system. Developed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Akashteer integrates seamlessly with Indian Army and Air Force radars.
It automates threat detection, tracks targets, and assigns weapons in real time-a feature that proved decisive in the face of Pakistan's drone swarm.
'It didn't roar or flash - it listened, calculated and struck with precision,' an official told PTI. 'Every threat was intercepted, every target neutralised.'
This level of precision is no fluke. Indian officers compared Akashteer's performance to Israel's Iron Dome, noting that while Iron Dome specializes in missile defense, Akashteer has shown exceptional versatility against low-flying drones and loitering munitions.
Between the lines
For Turkey, the reputational hit goes beyond this one conflict. The Bayraktar TB2 had become the face of Turkish defense sales, with celebrated success stories in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and early phases of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. But cracks were already showing. Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelensky
noted last year that 'those or other drones can help, but do not affect the result,' as Russia's electronic warfare systems jammed Bayraktar drones.
The India-Pakistan clash has underscored these vulnerabilities, exposing Turkish drones as poorly adapted to modern electronic and radar-dense battlefields.
Historical echoes
This is not the first time that battlefield performance has shattered weapons myths. In 1982, Israeli Air Force F-15s and F-16s downed over 80 Soviet-built Syrian MiGs without losing a single plane-an outcome that punctured the myth of Soviet invincibility in Arab states.
Analysts say Turkey is facing a similar reckoning now.
'Any African despot or Central Asian country still purchasing Turkish hardware should recognize they risk wasting hundreds of millions of dollars,' Rubin warned.
What's at stake for Turkey
For President Erdogan and his son-in-law's company Baykar, the India-Pakistan conflict is more than just a marketing setback. It's a blow to Turkey's entire narrative of self-sufficiency and regional influence.
Analysts are already warning that countries in Africa and Central Asia that relied on Turkish drones may now look elsewhere. China and the US remain key players in the global drone market, and Turkey's stumble has opened the door for rivals to push their systems as more reliable and battle-proven.
What's next
As Pakistan rebuilds its airfields and grapples with the aftermath of this clash, Turkey's defense industry is facing questions that go well beyond the battlefield.
In Africa, Somali and Libyan leaders had turned to Turkish drones to prop up their regimes. In Ethiopia, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed used Bayraktar drones to devastating effect against Tigray forces. But after this fiasco, prospective buyers may pause-fearing that the Turkish drones they once saw as cost-effective alternatives to Western systems may be little more than paper tigers.
Meanwhile, India's success with Akashteer has emboldened its push for indigenous defense technology. Smit Shah of the Drone Federation India said that India plans to triple its drone investments in the next two years-leveraging the lessons of Operation Sindoor to build a robust domestic drone and counter-drone ecosystem.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
Donald Trump's tariff wars: US announces trade deal with Vietnam; is India next? Why China should be worried
US officials are actively negotiating with key trading allies in Asia and Europe before July 9, seeking arrangements that could limit Chinese involvement. (AI image) US President Donald Trump's trade policies, tariff wars, and moves to seal trade deals with major trading partners in Asia and Europe has China increasingly on the guard - and rightly so! These trade deals could potentially separate Chinese companies from global supply networks, despite the recently announced trade truce between the US and China. US officials are actively negotiating with key trading allies in Asia and Europe before July 9, seeking arrangements that could limit Chinese involvement and address what the US considers unfair trade practices by China. The temporary 90-day suspension by Trump on what he termed "reciprocal" tariffs affecting many US trading partners concludes on July 9. These countries risk facing substantially higher tariffs if they fail to establish trade agreements with the US. Many countries are taking steps to maintain positive relations with Washington. Since Trump's tariff announcement in April, Vietnam, Thailand and South Korea have implemented regulations to prevent product rerouting through their territories to the US. Also Read | What is Donald Trump's net worth? Billionaire US President has a big portfolio of cryptocurrencies, stocks & more - top details South Korean authorities have intensified their efforts against transshipments, noting an increase in such activities. Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te addressed this concern and subsequently introduced regulations requiring all US-destined exports to include legal certification of their Taiwanese origin. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo How US Trade Deal With Vietnam Will Hit China President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday a new tariff structure with Vietnam, marking the first such arrangement. According to Trump's social media announcement, Vietnamese exports to the US will face a 20% tariff, while goods identified as being transshipped through the country will incur a 40% charge. This arrangement will affect products containing Chinese components that are either minimally processed in Vietnam or simply routed through the country before reaching the US. This structure reflects similar provisions found in existing US trade agreements with Mexico and Canada. The complete details of the agreement remain undisclosed by the White House, with some aspects possibly still under development. The impact on China's increasing exports to Vietnam is yet to be determined. China's Ministry of Commerce has not yet provided a response to enquiries. India, which is reportedly close to finalising a deal, is discussing "rules of origin" requirements. The US is seeking a minimum of 60% local value addition for products to qualify as "Made in India" and receive benefits under the agreement. According to Bloomberg News, India is attempting to negotiate this requirement down to approximately 35%. World's Trading Dilemma & China's Warning The trade war predicament facing Asia centres on its dual reliance: needing US consumer markets while depending on Chinese manufacturing inputs, according to Alicia Garcia Herrero, Asia-Pacific chief economist at Natixis SA. According to the Bloomberg report, in her recent analysis, she highlighted that Vietnam, Cambodia and Taiwan face particularly high exposure to this situation. Also Read | From 'dead' to 'hottest in world': Donald Trump calls 'Big, Beautiful Bill' the path to US making a 'fortune'; says America growing out of 'Biden mess' For most Asian economies, China represents a more significant trading relationship than the United States. Beijing has issued stern warnings about protecting its interests, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi expected to emphasise this position during his upcoming European diplomatic mission to Brussels, Germany and France. "China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of Chinese interests in exchange for so-called tariff reductions," said the Ministry of Commerce on Saturday, reiterating previous cautions. "If this happens, China will never accept it and will resolutely counter it to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests." According to Bloomberg Economics, Vietnam's trade agreement could trigger retaliatory measures from China. "Beijing has signalled its intention to address arrangements that undermined Chinese interests, and the acceptance of increased tariffs on products 'transshipped' through Vietnam could be considered such a case," Bloomberg's Rana Sajedi noted in a research analysis. Challenge for China & Its Worry The United States' potential influence on other nations to strengthen or implement export restrictions on advanced technology poses a significant challenge for Beijing, particularly regarding its acquisition of essential semiconductor manufacturing equipment. In June, Taiwan expanded its restricted entities catalogue to include both Huawei Technologies Co. and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., requiring Taiwanese companies to obtain governmental clearance before engaging in business transactions with these firms. The situation extends beyond Asian borders. Europe faces its own complexities in this matter. China's electric vehicle exports predominantly flow to the EU, whilst Chinese investments in the EU and UK reached 10 billion euros ($12 billion) in the previous year, as documented by Rhodium Group. Also Read | US plans 'economic bunker buster' bill: Will Donald Trump impose 500% tariff on countries importing oil from Russia? How it may impact India However, commercial relations are becoming strained. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has recently criticised Beijing for its approach to rare earths and magnets, whilst highlighting concerns about Chinese industrial surplus. The European Union's potential agreement with the US has raised significant concerns in Beijing, particularly regarding provisions similar to those in the British-American deal, which encompassed supply chain security, export regulations and ownership guidelines for industries including steel, aluminium and pharmaceuticals. Although China was not explicitly mentioned, Beijing issued an unusual public critique of the agreement, viewing it as a direct challenge, according to the Financial Times. "China is clearly worried that the EU will accept the same wording as the UK did on export controls," said Joerg Wuttke, a partner at the Albright Stonebridge Group in Washington and former president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China. "They are pushing the EU not to do this, and the US is pushing the EU to do it." The EU and US aim to establish an agreement before July 9, when American authorities plan to implement a 50 per cent tariff on virtually all European products. The EU considers the US relationship more vital, as European exports to America exceed twice the value of those to China, providing the US with substantial negotiating power. The primary challenge facing Beijing lies in the potential consolidation of these initiatives into a broader transformation - beyond US-led restrictions on Chinese exports to a fundamental restructuring of global commerce centred on 'trusted' supply networks, potentially marginalising China. During his Southeast Asian tour earlier this year, President Xi Jinping called for regional unity as an "Asian family," cautioning against commercial fragmentation. Also Read | Not just Apple iPhones! Android smartphone makers like Samsung, Motorola step up exports from India to US; move due to Trump's tariff policies China typically counters opposition through selective trade restrictions. Following EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles last year, Beijing initiated anti-dumping investigations into European brandy, dairy and pork products. In 2023, it suspended Japanese seafood imports after perceiving criticism from G7 meetings in Japan. A diplomatic dispute with Australia in 2020 resulted in trade limitations affecting various commodities, including lobsters, wine and barley. "If some agreements explicitly list China as a target and show that some countries are cooperating or collaborating with the US to 'contain China,' then China will definitely respond," said Tu Xinquan, dean of the China Institute for WTO Studies at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing and a former adviser to the Chinese Commerce Ministry. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
13 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘So deranged': 'Cannibal started to eat himself' on deportation flight, says DHS chief Kristi Noem; defends Alligator Alcatraz
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, speaks during a roundtable at "Alligator Alcatraz (AP photo) Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem , in a startling disclosure on Tuesday, narrated an unsettling incident involving federal agents apprehending an alleged cannibal, unauthorised immigrant, who reportedly began consuming his own arms during a deportation flight. The account was shared during Noem's visit to the "Alligator Alcatraz" deportation facility in the South Florida Everglades, where she accompanied President Trump. "The other day I was talking to some [US] Marshals that had been partnering with ICE," and continued with the account of the detained individual who allegedly attempted self-consumption while aboard the aircraft, necessitating medical intervention. "These are the kind of deranged individuals that are on our streets in America that we're trying to target and get out of our country because they are so deranged, they don't belong here,' she said. 'Cannibal' Migrant On Deportation Flight "Literally Ate His Own Arms" | N18G The former South Dakota governor utilised this narrative to demonstrate that federal authorities are focusing their efforts on apprehending the most dangerous unauthorised immigrants, rather than law-abiding community members, as suggested by critics of the administration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo She emphasised that such disturbed individuals present on American streets are the primary targets for removal from the country due to their dangerous nature. The Department of Homeland Security was unable to promptly verify any cases matching Noem's description, according to NY Post. The detention centre, situated approximately 40 miles west of Miami amid swampland inhabited by alligators and pythons, was constructed by Florida in eight days after the Trump administration accepted the state's proposal to utilise the 39-square-mile territory for mass deportation operations. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis informed journalists that he anticipated the initial detainees would arrive at the facility Wednesday. The administration has additionally encouraged unauthorised residents to voluntarily depart, offering the possibility of future legal entry. Noem cautioned that those who refuse to self-deport might face detention at the facility, deportation, and permanent exclusion from re-entry. DeSantis posed the rhetorical question, "Why would you want to come through Alligator Alcatraz if you can just go home on your own?" suggesting many would opt for voluntary departure.
India Today
13 minutes ago
- India Today
Dalai Lama's succession decision challenges China, raises stakes for India
In a pivotal move ahead of his 90th birthday, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has officially announced that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, his personal trust, will solely oversee the recognition and selection of his reincarnation. This announcement, while reaffirming the traditional Tibetan Buddhist process of identifying the next Dalai Lama, directly challenges China's long-standing claim that the succession must be approved by the Chinese government. The decision carries profound geopolitical implications, especially for India, where the Dalai Lama has lived in exile since 1959, and which hosts the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala. In an exclusive interview with India Today Global's Geeta Mohan, Dr. Jabin Jacob, an expert on China at Shiv Nadar University, offered a detailed perspective on the evolving dynamics. Dr. Jacob highlighted that this announcement is in line with what the Dalai Lama had long promised—making a clear decision about his succession upon turning 90. While the move signals a return to tradition, it also represents a strategic pivot. 'He has moved away from earlier suggestions such as naming his successor in his lifetime or being reincarnated outside of Tibet. Instead, he has opted for the conventional path, involving consultations with high lamas, the Tibetan Parliament in exile, and even indirect requests from inside Tibet,' Jacob said. However, Dr. Jacob cautioned that this traditional approach does not necessarily reduce Beijing's influence. 'China continues to assert its authority over Tibetan religious matters, including succession. By reverting to a traditional selection process, the door is not shut on Chinese interference. China could still attempt to control or recognise a parallel Dalai Lama,' he warned. The issue also brings into sharp focus India's delicate balancing act. For decades, India has hosted the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan diaspora, offering sanctuary while attempting to avoid antagonising China. Asked whether India has strategically used the Dalai Lama issue in its foreign policy toolkit, Dr. Jacob rejected the simplistic notion of a 'Tibet card.' 'Our decisions have largely been guided by national interest and a degree of morality. India's actions—hosting the Dalai Lama and supporting the Tibetan community—have not been transactional. To exploit the Tibetan cause would make us no different from the Chinese,' he said. However, he added that the Dalai Lama's succession will inevitably have direct implications for India, and Delhi must be prepared to assert its stake in the process. Geeta Mohan also recalled the inconsistency in India's stance over the years—how during periods of engagement with China, New Delhi had issued advisories discouraging official participation in the Dalai Lama's birthday celebrations. In contrast, during times of tension, such as after the Galwan clash, senior Indian officials have prominently attended Tibetan events. Dr. Jacob criticised this unpredictability. 'If the Indian government believes ambiguity brings strategic advantage, it must articulate what those advantages are. Otherwise, this inconsistency only makes us vulnerable to pressure, diminishes credibility, and creates confusion both domestically and internationally,' he asserted. He added that a clear, principled stand would also signal to the Tibetan community that their interests remain a priority for India. Addressing the controversial 2003 decision by then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to recognise the Tibet Autonomous Region as part of China, Dr. Jacob clarified that this was not a blanket historical endorsement. 'India acknowledged the TAR as a political reality, not as a historical validation of China's claims. In return, China recognised Sikkim as Indian territory. That was the quid pro quo,' he explained. While some question why Kashmir was not included in the bargain, Dr. Jacob pointed out that China has consistently maintained a technically neutral position on the issue. Though it supports Pakistan practically, its official stance—based on a 1963 agreement with Pakistan—leaves room for future negotiation depending on the resolution of the Kashmir dispute. Ultimately, the Dalai Lama's succession will not just be a religious matter—it's a geopolitical flashpoint. With China, India, and the Tibetan people all having a stake in the outcome, the coming years will test New Delhi's diplomatic clarity, resolve, and moral compass.- EndsTune In advertisement
