Ethiopia has bestowed its prestigious Medal of Honour upon the CEO of the Turkish drone manufacturer, Baykar, recognising the significant role played by the Bayraktar TB2 drones in the country’s civil war. The award ceremony, held in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, marked the Ethiopian Air Force’s 88th anniversary. Baykar’s CEO, Haluk Bayraktar, became the first foreign national to receive Ethiopia’s highest national award.
The ceremony, attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, featured the presentation of the Medal of Honour to Haluk Bayraktar by Ethiopia’s Chief of General Staff, Marshal Birhanu Jula, and Air Force Commander, Lieutenant-General Yilma Merdasa.
During Ethiopia’s civil war in 2021, the Bayraktar TB2 drones reportedly played a pivotal role in favor of the government forces against the Tigray Defence Forces, preventing the rebels from capturing the capital. This success in Ethiopia added to the drones’ track record of achievements in conflict zones, including Libya, northern Syria, Azerbaijan’s Nagorno-Karabakh region, and, to some extent, Ukraine.
The recognition from Ethiopia comes as part of a series of awards granted to Haluk Bayraktar and Baykar for the successful deployment of their drones in various combat zones and conflict fronts. Over the past few years, he has received medals from countries such as Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Mali, Kyrgyzstan, and Kosovo, underscoring the global impact and recognition of Baykar’s drone technology.