Turkish Drones Disrupting Battlefields: A Case Study of Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

Abstract

The research addresses the major role of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) in how the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict was fought, viewed from the perspective of the Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) theory. Referring to open-source information, doctrinal papers, and battlefield reports, it then goes on to explore how the conflict around Nagorno-Karabakh began and what Azerbaijan’s past force position was. After that, the study reviews how Azerbaijan’s use of the Bayraktar TB2s, which involve persistent reconnaissance (ISR), precise weapons, and defense against opposing air forces, allowed a quick weakening of the Armenians’ capabilities and profitable gains of territory. It goes on to understand the psychological impact of drones on the Armenian side and the key part drones played in their information warfare is important. RMA's three pillars of technological innovation, doctrinal adaptation, and organizational transformation show how low-cost UCAVs may turn existing force hierarchy on their heads and make precision strike capabilities available to everyone. It further looks at how Turkey now uses UCAVs in its diplomacy, the spread of UCAV tech to additional parties, and the issues this causes in terms of the law, ethics, and strategy. According to the study, while the Bayraktar TB2s played a key role in altering regional balance in 2020, their ability in any future encounter would depend on others developing defense against drones and international controls on drone development.