In an interview with the Ukrainian national news agency Ukrinform, Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar discussed the secrets behind the company’s global success, its ambitious technology goals for the future, and its strategic partnership with Ukraine. Bayraktar emphasized that the attack on the facility in Ukraine carried out by Russia would not stop them and stressed that the project would continue.
The Russian Attack and Unwavering Faith in Ukraine
Bayraktar assessed the Russian attack on the Baykar factory currently under construction near Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. He noted that the attack was a manifestation of the brutality faced by the Ukrainian people on a daily basis. Confirming that the facility had sustained structural and material damage, Bayraktar took a clear stance on the project’s future:
“Of course, the facility sustained structural and material damage. However, steel, concrete, and buildings can be rebuilt. What truly matters is our determination and faith in this project. No missile can harm our friendship. This attack has not led to any changes in our plans. We have completed our damage assessment and are moving forward as planned.”
Bayraktar stated that the construction of this factory is the most tangible demonstration of their belief in Ukraine’s full independence and bright future. He emphasized that Baykar’s relationship with Ukraine goes beyond a simple trade agreement and is rooted in a spirit of friendship and cooperation.
From Global Leadership to an Autonomous Swarm Ecosystem
Assessing Baykar’s capture of `’ of the global combat UAV market over the past year, Haluk Bayraktar summarized the company’s short- and long-term goals across three time frames:
Near Future: Entry into Service and Strategic Partnerships
Baykar is moving forward based on its concrete achievements in the recent past. The goal is for the Bayraktar TB3, having completed its tests aboard the TCG ANADOLU, to become a force multiplier in the inventory of the Turkish Armed Forces. Additionally, the company plans to complete the serial production and induction into service of the KIZILELMA unmanned combat aircraft. The company is expanding its skill set with projects such as the AI-based mini cruise missile KEMANKEŞ. The ultimate goal is to go beyond being a mere product supplier and become a strategic technology partner in Europe’s security architecture.
The Next 10–20 Years: Network-Based Swarms and Thinking Machines
Bayraktar predicts that over the next 10 years, defense paradigms will shift from individual platforms to intelligent, network-based swarms. The paradigm will evolve from “building the best single platform” to “managing the smartest swarm.” Baykar’s role in this process will be to design the artificial intelligence that will serve as the “brain” of these swarms, as well as pioneering systems such as KIZILELMA. Within 20 years, the human-machine relationship is expected to evolve into a partnership where machines act as teammates, thinking and discussing together.
50 Years from Now: Integrated Autonomous Ecosystems
The long-term vision is for the world to witness seamlessly functioning integrated autonomous ecosystems across all domains —including air, land, sea, cyberspace, and space—within 50 years. This has been defined as the ultimate goal of Baykar’s technological development.
New Goal: Full Independence in Space
Bayraktar signaled that the company will turn its attention to the space sector as a natural extension of its future goals. He noted that, just as in aviation, they are moving forward with a vision of full independence in space. The goals in space are as follows:
- Multifaceted Space Ecosystem: Satellite constellation projects that will provide Turkey with secure, high-speed communication and observation capabilities on a global scale are a priority.
- Orbital Transfer Vehicles (Space Logistics): The goal is not only to build satellites but also to develop vehicles capable of transporting satellites between orbits and providing services to them.
- Domestic Launch Systems: One of the ultimate goals is to launch satellites into space using Turkey’s own launch systems.
Bayraktar stated that their goal is to transform Turkey from a country that merely uses space technologies into a technology developer, a standard-setter, and a game-changer.
The Value of Feedback from the Battlefield
When asked whether Baykar had benefited from its experience in the war in Ukraine, Haluk Bayraktar responded by noting that feedback from the field is the most valuable input for R&D. He explained that uninterrupted 24/7 communication and data flow are maintained with all users. Bayraktar emphasized that, thanks to this feedback loop, the Bayraktar TB2 is a constantly evolving, living system. He noted that while the TB2s produced today may look the same as the first versions from 2014, there is a world of difference between them in terms of capabilities.
