Baykar is ready to contribute its technologies to Black Sea security projects and, on a broader scale, to become a technological partner in shaping Europe’s security architecture.
This was stated by Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar in an interview with Ukrinform.
“We believe that the main purpose of advanced technologies is to create deterrence and enhance situational awareness to prevent conflicts before they begin. In line with this philosophy, our technologies are ready to serve this goal — ensuring stability in the Black Sea,” Bayraktar said.
The CEO emphasized that Baykar fully supports Turkey’s policy and initiatives — as the most important regional power — aimed at ensuring peace and stability in the Black Sea.
He also noted that the company seeks to contribute to strengthening Europe’s security architecture.
“Thanks to the technological experience we have gained in various projects, we aim to go beyond product supply and become a strategic and indispensable technological partner in Europe’s security architecture,” Bayraktar added.
It worth mention, that Baykar continues to use Ukrainian-made engines on its combat drones, including the Akinci and the fighter UAVs Kizilelma. Ukrainian engineers are also interning and exchanging experience at Baykar’s Istanbul facility, where they will eventually form the core team for the company’s operations in Ukraine.
“We work side by side with extremely talented Ukrainian engineers and technicians at our headquarters in Istanbul. They not only strengthen our current capabilities but also form the future core team for our investment projects in Ukraine,” said CEO Haluk Bayraktar.
According to him, Baykar’s program is not a one-way training initiative but a mutual exchange of expertise and skills.
“We seriously benefit from their deep engineering experience and unique insights throughout research, development, and production in Turkey. At the same time, we help cultivate future Ukrainian engineers and technicians through our internship program,” Bayraktar emphasized.
He also highlighted the success of collaboration with Ukrainian partners in supplying engines despite the ongoing war in Ukraine.
“It is true that the war has affected this cooperation, and we observe with deep respect the resilience of Ukrainian industry under such challenging conditions. Our collaboration with Ukraine remains unchanged. Engines from our Ukrainian partners are actively used on strategic platforms like Akinci and Kizilelma, which require higher power and performance. We are fully satisfied with this cooperation,” Bayraktar said.
The CEO added that Baykar is working on import substitution and finding local solutions for its projects, a process accelerated by the war in Ukraine.
“We are doubling efforts to implement our own localized solutions and expand our supplier network. We developed our own engine for the Bayraktar TB2 strike drone. The Bayraktar TB3 platform is equipped with a domestic engine developed by the Turkish company TEI. Of course, we and other Turkish companies with the necessary capabilities continue to develop our own engines for these platforms to achieve the national goal of full independence for Turkey in strategic sectors,” he added.
