Burkina Faso has taken a significant step towards enhancing its security and technological capabilities with the inauguration of a new drone pilot training center. This pioneering facility is set to revolutionize Africa’s capacity for drone technology, providing specialized training to equip military personnel with the skills needed to safeguard communities and protect natural resources.
The establishment of this training center addresses Burkina Faso’s growing demand for skilled drone operators. By developing local talent, the center supports various critical areas, including:
- Border Security and Counter-Terrorism Efforts: Enhancing the ability to monitor and secure borders against threats.
- Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Response: Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of aid delivery and disaster management.
- Sustainable Development and Resource Management: Utilizing drones for environmental monitoring and resource management.
This initiative strengthens Burkina Faso’s position as a hub for innovation and security in West Africa, embodying the continent’s commitment to self-sufficiency and security.
To further bolster its security and counter-terrorism efforts, Burkina Faso has recently acquired five Bayraktar TB2 drones from Turkey. These medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drones are capable of performing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions. With a range of 150 km and an endurance of 24 hours, the Bayraktar TB2 can carry up to four laser-guided missiles.
In a notable operation last December, Burkinabe Bayraktar TB2s used thermobaric capped versions of the MAM-L precision-guided munition to decimate hundreds of terrorists from Ansaru and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) during an attack on the Djibo military base. The Burkina Faso Information Agency reported that more than 400 terrorists were destroyed during the counter-offensive by the Burkinabe Armed Forces.
Acquiring Advanced UAVs
In addition to the Bayraktar TB2, Burkina Faso has also acquired the Akinci long-range combat drone. This advanced UAV has a maximum takeoff weight of over 5.5 tons and can carry a payload of over 1,350 kg. Equipped with two turboprop engines, electronic support and ECM systems, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar, and advanced synthetic-aperture radar, the Akinci UCAV is a formidable addition to Burkina Faso’s arsenal.
The Akinci UCAV has been seen fitted with MAM-L and MAM-T munitions, and it is also compatible with ROKETSAN’s TEBER GPS and Laser-guided general-purpose bombs, as well as TÜBİTAK SAGE’s HGK GPS guidance kits. This indicates that Burkina Faso has acquired heavier munitions for the Akinci UCAV, further enhancing its military capabilities.
The opening of the drone pilot training center and the acquisition of advanced UAVs underscore Burkina Faso’s commitment to security and self-sufficiency. By investing in homegrown expertise and cutting-edge technology, Burkina Faso is taking significant steps toward safeguarding its people, resources, and future. These efforts are expected to provide a strategic edge over Islamist militants who have been causing unrest in the region, contributing to a more secure and stable West Africa.