Turkish defense and aerospace company Baykar has once again solidified its dominance in the global unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market. The company reported $1.8 billion in exports for 2024, matching its record from the previous year and securing its position among Turkey’s top 10 exporters. Remarkably, 90% of Baykar’s total revenue came from exports, underscoring its strong international presence and high technology capabilities.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Baykar’s CEO Haluk Bayraktar reflected on the company’s 20-year journey, emphasizing its role in advancing Turkey’s technological independence. “We started with the hand-launched Bayraktar Mini UAV in a small workshop. Despite countless challenges, we never gave up. Today, we are leading the global UAV export market,” Bayraktar said, expressing gratitude to the Baykar team for their contribution to this success.

According to a September 2024 report by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), Turkey now controls 65% of the global UAV export market, with Baykar alone accounting for nearly 60%. This makes Baykar’s export volume three times larger than its closest American competitor, maintaining its position as the world’s leading UAV producer for the fourth consecutive year.

Baykar’s flagship drones, Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar AKINCI, have now been exported to 35 countries. The TB2 is in active service in 34 nations, while the AKINCI has been delivered to 10. In 2024, the company delivered platforms to countries such as Croatia, Romania, Albania, Poland, Kenya, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, and the United Arab Emirates. Following the November 19, 2024 agreement with Croatia, Bayraktar TB2 became part of the inventories of six NATO and four EU member states, further strengthening Turkey’s footprint in Western defense markets.

Operating entirely through self-funded R&D since 2003, Baykar has generated 83% of its total income from exports. By surpassing global competitors such as the U.S., Israel, and China, Baykar has positioned Turkey as a global powerhouse in UAV production and exports, leading the world in defense technology innovation.