Turkish Drones Bayraktar TB2 and YIHA Fail in Operation Sindoor | ChatGPT Image

Turkish Drones Bayraktar TB2 and YIHA Fail in Operation Sindoor

May 17, 2025| May 17, 2025 7 min read

Introduction: India’s Akashteer Air Defence Proves Its Might

Operation Sindoor, a significant military operation executed by the Indian Armed Forces in early 2025, has revealed critical insights into modern warfare and drone-based threats. In a major turn of events, Turkish-made drones — Bayraktar TB2 and YIHA — used against India, were effectively neutralized by India’s advanced Akashteer Air Defence System, showcasing the nation’s evolving technological and strategic capabilities. While Turkey has promoted its drones as battlefield game-changers in Libya, Syria, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ukraine, their performance in Indian skies was far from impressive.

This article analyzes the role of Turkish drones in Operation Sindoor, the Indian military’s swift and precise countermeasures, and the global impact of this setback on Turkey’s drone export ambitions.

Overview of Bayraktar TB2 and YIHA Drones

Bayraktar TB2

The Bayraktar TB2 is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone developed by Baykar Technologies in Turkey. It has been marketed worldwide as a cost-effective and combat-proven Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Its technical capabilities include:

Operational Altitude: 24,000 feet
Endurance: 27 hours
Payload: 150 kg (with laser-guided bombs and surveillance systems)
Strike Capabilities: MAM-L and MAM-C munitions

The TB2 gained a reputation after successful deployments in conflicts involving Azerbaijan, Libya, and Ukraine, leading to increased demand from countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

YIHA Drones

The YIHA is a lesser-known but more modern UAV in the Turkish arsenal, possibly referring to advanced UAV prototypes designed for electronic warfare, surveillance, and attack roles. Though details about YIHA are limited, they are believed to include stealthy features and higher autonomy levels, complementing the TB2’s operational profile.

Turkish Drones in Operation Sindoor

According to defense sources, both Bayraktar TB2 and YIHA drones were deployed against Indian targets in an attempted disruption mission during Operation Sindoor, likely in coordination with Pakistani and non-state actors. The objective was to:

Penetrate Indian airspace
Carry out ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) missions
Strike critical military and radar installations
Test Indian response times and defense layers

However, these Turkish UAVs encountered a far more robust and technologically advanced air defense ecosystem than in any of their previous engagements.

India’s Counter: Akashteer Air Defence System

What is Akashteer?

Akashteer, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is a network-centric air defence system. It is specifically designed for command and control of low-level air threats, including:

UAVs and drones
Loitering munitions
Cruise missiles
Helicopters and fighter aircraft at low altitudes

Capabilities Demonstrated in Operation Sindoor

During Operation Sindoor, Akashteer demonstrated:

Real-time detection and tracking of multiple drones simultaneously
Integration with radar and missile systems to initiate instant countermeasures
Rapid decision-making and deployment through centralized command systems
Neutralization of aerial threats before they could inflict damage

Sources confirm that Indian Akash missiles, along with electronic jamming units, intercepted and destroyed 90%+ of the incoming drones, while the rest were forced to retreat or crash due to GPS spoofing and signal disruption.

Dent in Turkish Drone Reputation

The outcome of Operation Sindoor has caused global observers to reassess Turkish drone capabilities, especially in high-threat, defended airspaces like India.

Why the Failure?

Well-Prepared Air Defence: Unlike Syria or Libya, India is not an unstructured battlefield. Indian forces anticipated drone-based attacks and had layers of integrated air defense in place.
Electronic Countermeasures: India’s indigenous jammers, radars, and anti-drone systems were highly effective, making GPS-based navigation unreliable for the Turkish drones.
Tactical Predictability: Turkish drones followed known operational patterns, which were easy for Indian AI-driven defense systems to detect and adapt to.
Limited Payload and Armor: The TB2’s payload is too small to cause major strategic damage and is easily intercepted when its path is anticipated.

Impact on Turkey’s Defence Exports

Turkey has built a strategic narrative around its drones, branding them as affordable and effective force multipliers. However:

Countries evaluating UAV purchases may now question the TB2’s resilience in well-defended airspaces.
India’s successful defense could become a benchmark for drone-neutralization strategies across Asia.
The incident marks the first major battlefield failure for Turkish drones in a high-tech environment, dealing a blow to Ankara’s defense diplomacy.

Strategic Takeaways for India

1. India’s Air Defence Enters a New Era

The operational success of Akashteer shows that India is now capable of defending itself against modern UAV threats and is no longer reliant solely on foreign systems.

2. Boost for Indigenous Defence Industry

Akashteer, Akash missiles, radar systems like Rajendra, and jamming technologies used in Operation Sindoor were indigenously developed. This boosts the confidence and export potential of India’s defense sector.

3. Psychological and Strategic Victory

By neutralizing highly publicized drones like the TB2 and YIHA, India has:

Disrupted enemy strategy
Dented the narrative around Turkish UAV invincibility
Reinforced its image as a tech-powered military power

Global Reactions

Western analysts noted that while TB2s were effective in conflict zones with poor air defense, they are not invulnerable.
Southeast Asian and African nations looking to purchase Turkish drones are now considering robust counter-drone strategies.
NATO and U.S. observers praised India’s integrated defense capabilities, especially in the context of emerging drone warfare.

Conclusion

Operation Sindoor has changed the perception of drone warfare in South Asia. The failure of Bayraktar TB2 and YIHA drones against India’s Akashteer-powered air defense is not just a tactical event but a strategic signal to the world.

It marks the emergence of India as a drone-defence powerhouse and sends a clear message: While drones are a rising force in modern combat, they are not unbeatable — especially when faced with a nation prepared with the right mix of technology, training, and tactical foresight.

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