Armed and Unarmed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Their Role in War (44-Day Karabakh War)

Despite the long history of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), thorough investigations into the operational capabilities of these technologies have increased significantly in recent years. In today’s volatile political and military environment, UAVs are used in a variety of missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, search and rescue, and direct attack making them an indispensable part of contemporary security strategies. Technological advances have made UAV systems more accessible and effective, attracting not only major powers but also medium and small-scale states to these technologies. In this context, the production, procurement, and use of combat UAVs have paved the way for a new strategic dimension in international relations. This study analyses the development of UAV technologies through the examples of Türkiye and Israel in the context of Karabakh War that broke out on September 27, 2020. While Israel stands out with its leadership in this field, Türkiye has become an effective actor, especially in recent years with systems such as Bayraktar TB2. Azerbaijan, one of the most concentrated and effective examples of the use of these systems, which both countries produce, has revealed the decisive role of UAVs during the war. In addition, the study evaluates not only the tactical but also the strategic dimensions of these technologies, revealing how UAVs have transformed the nature of warfare and affected the regional security architecture in the axis of Azerbaijan.