Baykar Technology

Baykar is a technology company founded in 1986 by Özdemir Bayraktar to manufacture precision automotive components. Since the early 2000s, it has focused on research and development in unmanned systems. Baykar develops various platforms in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles and smart munitions technologies. Within this scope, the Bayraktar Mini İHA entered the inventory of Turkish Security Forces in 2007, the Bayraktar TB2 in 2014, the Bayraktar AKINCI in 2021, and the Bayraktar TB3 in 2025. Baykar is also continuing the development of the Bayraktar KIZILELMA Unmanned Combat Aircraft (UCAV), the Bayraktar KALKAN Vertical Take-Off and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTOL UAV), and AI-based mini cruise missiles KEMANKEŞ 1 and KEMANKEŞ 2.

The Bayraktar Mini İHA, developed nationally and originally, was the first indigenous aircraft to enter the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces. The Bayraktar TB2 emerged as the first aircraft of Türkiye’s Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) class to enter service. By the end of 2024, the Bayraktar TB2 surpassed one million flight hours, becoming the first indigenous aircraft to achieve this milestone, while the Bayraktar AKINCI reached a total of 100,000 flight hours.

Baykar’s S/UAV systems are currently actively used not only in Türkiye but also in numerous other countries. As of January 2026, Baykar has exported S/UAVs to a total of 37 countries and is today the world’s largest unmanned aerial vehicle company. Since the beginning of its UAV R&D process, Baykar has derived 83 percent of its total revenue from exports. The countries to which Baykar exports include states from the European Union, Gulf countries, Turkic Republics, Africa, and Asia. Baykar was also among Türkiye’s top 10 exporters in both 2023 and 2024.

In addition to its production and export activities, Baykar plays an active role in social responsibility. The company leads numerous initiatives supporting the National Technology Initiative, most notably the TEKNOFEST Aviation, Space and Technology Festival, and provides broad support to youth through programs ranging from scholarships to educational projects. Through the Türkiye Teknoloji Takımı Vakfı (T3 Vakfı), Baykar supports youth in technology development, education, and entrepreneurship; through the Canan Bayraktar Public Health (CANSAĞLIĞI) Foundation and the Culture and Civilization (KÜME) Foundation, it contributes to socially impactful scientific research and projects focused on health, culture, and technology.

History

1986 – 2005: Foundation and Early Years

Baykar was established in Istanbul in 1986 by Özdemir Bayraktar to manufacture precision mechanical components for the automotive industry. In its early years, the company engaged in activities such as original machine design and manufacturing, part processing, and design processes within the precision machining sector of the automotive supply industry.^【1】 In the early 2000s, Baykar’s area of operation evolved into defense industry and unmanned systems development, guided by Özdemir Bayraktar’s national goal of reducing Türkiye’s dependence on foreign military technology.^{【2】 【3】}

Baykar’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle System and Subsystem R&D efforts gained momentum through the work of Haluk Bayraktar and Selçuk Bayraktar in this field.^【4】 Selçuk Bayraktar graduated from the Electronics and Communications Department of Istanbul Technical University in 2004 and completed his graduate studies at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States, focusing on UAV formation and robotic flight, and later at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on automatic flight control algorithms for unmanned helicopters in 2006.^【5】 Haluk Bayraktar completed his graduate studies at Columbia University in the same field after graduating from Middle East Technical University’s Industrial Engineering Department in 2000.^【6】 Throughout this period, Baykar’s UAV R&D activities continued uninterrupted by a small research group.

Baykar conducted its first autonomous flight test in 2004 using nationally developed electronic and software systems.^【7】 In 2005, Baykar partnered with the KALE group to enter the tender launched by the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries for the Mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Development Project capable of close-range reconnaissance and surveillance.^【8】

During tests conducted at TAI facilities in October 2005, Baykar’s system, developed entirely indigenously from airframe to electronic control systems, became the only Mini UAV system among four candidates to successfully complete a demonstration flight.^【9】 In October 2006, the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries awarded the Kale-Baykar company an order for 19 sets of Mini UAVs (76 aircraft and 38 ground control stations).^{【10】 【11】}

2006 - 2009: Field Operations

Following the demonstration, Baykar’s UAV development efforts moved to the field.^【12】 Lieutenant Colonel Melih Gülova, seeking a technological solution to terrorism, facilitated the Bayraktar family’s establishment of a workshop at the foothills of Gabar Mountain.^【13】 A workshop was established near Gabar Mountain at the foothills of Akçay Village in Şırnak, close to the 6th Motorized Infantry Brigade. In addition to the workshop near Gabar Mountain,^【14】 the performance of Baykar platforms was tested under real operational conditions at various military bases and border regions in Southeastern Turkey, including Cudi Mountain and Hakkâri Hantepe.^【15】 After flight tests and field trials, Baykar’s platform named Bayraktar Gözcü Mini UAV entered the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in 2007. The Bayraktar Gözcü Mini UAV became the first unmanned aerial vehicle in Turkish history to be developed nationally and originally and put into serial production.

Development of the Malazgirt Mini UAV

Between the awarding of the Mini UAV tender in October 2005 and the signing of the contract in October 2006, Baykar initiated development work on the Malazgirt Rotary-Wing Mini UAV.^【16】 Designed as an autonomous rotary-wing mini-helicopter platform based on feedback and requirements gathered from soldiers serving in counter-terrorism operations,^【17】 the Malazgirt Rotary-Wing Mini UAV officially began production in 2008. In 2009, 15 units of the Malazgirt Mini UAV were produced and delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces.^【18】 The Malazgirt Rotary-Wing Mini UAV was first used by the General Directorate of Security on 15 June 2010.^【19】 The system was primarily used for short-range reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

However, in November 2009, the Turkish Army Command Technical Directorate decided to suspend flight operations due to identified software errors in the Malazgirt UAV systems and several crashed Malazgirt Mini UAVs.^【20】 In a social media statement on the subject, Selçuk Bayraktar stated that the Malazgirt Mini UAV had participated in operations after completing its training in Şırnak and that its flight was banned under the pretext of an accident.^【21】 In a TV program on the same topic, Haluk Bayraktar stated that the project was halted due to bureaucratic obstacles. Although Baykar pledged to replace the allegedly accident-damaged UAVs free of charge and to implement software improvements, the rotary-wing Mini UAV project was ultimately canceled.^【22】

2009 – 2025: Development of the Bayraktar TB2 and the Present

Baykar began transferring the experience gained from its mini UAV systems and operational feedback from the field to more advanced platforms, laying the foundation for the Bayraktar TB2 system.

Under the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Development Program initiated by the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (UDI) in 2007, companies were requested to develop a system capable of carrying a 35-kilogram payload, flying for 10 hours at an altitude of 18,000 feet, and maintaining a 150-kilometer communication range.^【23】 One of the participating companies, Baykar, conducted the first flight of its initial prototype in the tactical class, the Bayraktar TB1 (Çaldıran) system, in 2009 at Keşan Airport^【24】 and received official approval in 2010 after passing formal evaluations in the same year.

In 2010, the Defense Industry Executive Committee (DIEC) assigned the UDI to procure 12 tactical UAVs. Contract negotiations began in 2010, and an agreement was signed with Baykar in December 2011. During this period, the system developed from the Bayraktar TB1 platform was transformed into the Bayraktar TB2 form and conducted its first flight in 2014. During flight tests at Edirne Keşan Military Airfield, the Bayraktar TB2 remained airborne for 24 hours and 34 minutes and reached an altitude of 27,000 feet, outperforming test conditions in both flight duration and altitude. During this period, the Bayraktar TB2 evolved from the tactical class to the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) class; its wingspan increased from 9 meters to 12 meters, and its takeoff weight rose from 450 kg to over 700 kg. The first deliveries of the Bayraktar TB2 were made to the Turkish Armed Forces on 22 November 2014.^【25】

In 2015, the Bayraktar TB2 was equipped with domestically produced munitions integration, becoming an armed UAV. On 17 December 2015, the first guided munition launch from a Bayraktar TB2 was conducted, and the ROKETSAN-produced MAM-L munition successfully hit its target.^【26】 By 2016, the Bayraktar TB2 was actively used in operational inventory as Türkiye’s first operational UAV.

The platform, used by Türkiye in counter-terrorism operations in Syria and Iraq, was also actively deployed in conflict zones such as Libya, Nagorno-Karabakh, and Ukraine. Ongoing development efforts culminated in the Bayraktar TB2 becoming the first UAV in history to perform an autonomous barrel roll maneuver on 31 May 2024, tracing a spiral trajectory and completing a full rotation around its axis. As of 10 December 2024, the platform became Türkiye’s first indigenous aircraft to successfully complete one million flight hours.^【27】 On 9 April 2025, during a test flight, the Bayraktar TB2 became the first UAV in world aviation history to perform an autonomous rescue maneuver from a vortex.^【28】

2017 – 2021: Development of Bayraktar AKINCI and Announcement of the Bayraktar KIZILELMA Project

Bayraktar AKINCI, the fourth major platform developed by Baykar (after the Bayraktar Mini UAV, Malazgirt Rotary-Wing, and Bayraktar TB2), is an Attack Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (A-UAV) developed under the AKINCI Project led by the Presidency of Defense Industries (PDI).^【29】 Baykar began development of the AKINCI project, financed entirely by its own resources, in 2017.^【30】 Bayraktar AKINCI, Türkiye’s first unmanned aerial vehicle with attack capability, was introduced to the public in 2018.

The first flight of the Bayraktar AKINCI TİHA was conducted on 6 December 2019. The first delivery to the Turkish Security Forces was made on 29 August 2021. The development of Bayraktar AKINCI was built upon the engineering expertise and operational experience gained from the Bayraktar TB2. The platform can carry various payload configurations and perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground mission profiles. This platform, which elevated Türkiye’s UAV capabilities to a higher level, has completed 100,000 flight hours.

After transitioning the AKINCI project to serial production, Baykar publicly announced the Bayraktar KIZILELMA project, Türkiye’s first indigenous unmanned combat aircraft. Design work on the platform, featuring low radar visibility and a jet engine, began during this period.^【31】

2021 – Present: Emergence and Development of New Projects

In addition to its platforms that have entered serial production, Baykar is developing new UAV projects. Between 2023 and the present, Baykar has repeatedly announced new projects and new variants of its developed platforms to the public. During this period, Baykar has simultaneously advanced the Bayraktar KIZILELMA Unmanned Combat Aircraft project, as well as the Bayraktar Vertical Take-Off and Landing UAV (VTOL UAV), the Bayraktar TB3 UAV, and the KEMANKEŞ 1 and KEMANKEŞ 2 Mini Smart Cruise Missile systems.

During this period, Baykar first shared the initial test flight of the Bayraktar KALKAN VTOL UAV with the public in 2022.^【32】 As of May 2025, test flights of the KALKAN VTOL UAV, whose serial production prototype has been manufactured, are ongoing.

Another project announced by Baykar during this period is the Bayraktar TB3.^【33】 The Bayraktar TB3 UAV, designed with foldable wings and short take-off and landing capabilities to meet the needs of aircraft deployed on the TCG Anadolu, conducted its first flight on 27 October 2023. On 19 November 2024, during a test flight, the Bayraktar TB3 became the first UAV in world aviation history to successfully perform a take-off and landing from a ship with a short runway.^【34】 As of May 2025, the development of the Bayraktar TB3 continues.

Baykar has continued its R&D and test flights for the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, which completed its first flight a year ahead of schedule. The production prototype of the Bayraktar KIZILELMA, developed on 25 September 2024, is expected to enter serial production soon.

Baykar is also continuing its R&D and production efforts in the mini smart munitions category with the KEMANKEŞ 1 and KEMANKEŞ 2 projects. In 2023, the company initiated its first test launch of KEMANKEŞ 1 from the Bayraktar TB2 platform, and in 2024, it began test launches of KEMANKEŞ 2, which can be used with ground-based systems or rocket-assisted launchers.^【35】

Key Developments

25 April 1986: Baykar Foundation

2000: Start of R&D for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems and Subsystem Components

2004: First Autonomous Flight Test with Nationally Developed Electronic and Software Systems

2005:</