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Turkish defense giant Baykar expands Ukraine operations as innovations “explode”

Ukraine has become a hub of innovation during Russia’s war. Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar says the country is experiencing a true boom in technological innovation, and world leaders recognize its potential, UkrInform reports. 

Since 2022, Baykar has supplied Ukraine with Bayraktar TB2 strike drones, which have been actively used to destroy Russian positions. Videos and photos showing the destruction of Russian equipment and manpower by these drones have gone viral on social media. In 2024, Baykar began building a drone manufacturing plant in Ukraine.

From startups to large industrial companies

At the world’s largest aviation and space technology festival, TEKNOFEST 2025 in Istanbul, Bayraktar said that Ukraine has developed a powerful innovation base and gained valuable experience.

“The war has become a catalyst for rapid technological innovation: while there were only a few companies producing drones before, today there are already hundreds. The same applies to robotics and other high technologies,” he emphasized.

According to him, the key task now is to transform startups into large industrial enterprises.

Baykar supports Ukraine 

Bayraktar noted that Baykar’s Ukrainian office already employs more than 120 people, and the company continues to assist Ukraine both technologically and in other areas.

“In Ukraine, efforts are underway to harness this experience and give startups the opportunity to grow into larger companies on an industrial scale,” he said.

A new science and education center for Ukrainian youth

Beyond military innovations, Baykar, together with the National Center “Minor Academy of Sciences of Ukraine”, will create a modern educational center for children and young people.

“Ukrainian youth will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and education through the latest scientific and technological methodology already applied in Turkiye,” Bayraktar announced at the TEKNOFEST 2025.

He added that the Academy already hosts a Mathematics Museum, and the new center will expand practical opportunities for students in other sciences.

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