Turkish defense giant Baykar achieves $1.8B in exports for 2024, expands global reach

Turkish defense leader Baykar, a world leader in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) exports, achieved $1.8 billion in exports for 2024, with 90% of its revenue stemming from international sales.

Since launching its UAV R&D program in 2003, Baykar has self-financed all its projects, generating 83% of its total revenue from exports. In 2023, the company ranked among Türkiye’s top 10 exporters, a feat it repeated in 2024, reinforcing its continued success.

Continued export success

Having single-handedly accounted for one-third of the Turkish defense and aerospace industry’s exports the previous year, the company’s 2024 exports represented a quarter of the industry’s total, helping Türkiye maintain its position as the world’s top UCAV exporter.

Thanks to Baykar’s remarkable achievements, Türkiye surpassed the United States, Israel, and China in UCAV exports. According to a September 2024 report by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), Türkiye now controls 65% of the global UAV export market. Baykar, which is three times larger than its closest U.S. competitor, has been the world’s leading UCAV company for four years and currently holds an estimated 60% market share on its own.

High-tech exports to 35 countries

As the developer of Türkiye’s indigenous UCAVs, Baykar continues to expand its global footprint as the largest UAV exporter in the world. 97.5% of Baykar’s current contracts come from exports.

To date, Baykar has delivered its Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar Akinci UCAVs to 35 different countries. While the Bayraktar TB2 has entered the inventory of 34 nations worldwide, the Bayraktar Akinci has made a significant impact with exports to 10 countries.

Expanding across NATO and the EU

The Bayraktar TB2, Baykar’s indigenous and original platform, has successfully entered military inventories worldwide by outperforming global competitors in rigorous selection processes.

In 2023, Bayraktar TB2 was selected over U.S., European, and Chinese alternatives in a competitive process overseen by Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense.

Building on this success, Baykar expanded its presence across NATO and the European Union in 2024. Following an agreement with Croatia on November 19, 2024, Bayraktar TB2 is now in the inventories of six NATO allies and four EU member states.

Contracts signed, deliveries completed

2024 was a notably active year for Baykar’s exports and deliveries. Having delivered Bayraktar Akinci aircraft to the United Arab Emirates in January, the company completed the delivery of Bayraktar TB2s to Romania in February. Following the export of various Bayraktar platforms to Albania, the Maldives, Poland, and Mali in the spring, the summer months were marked by deliveries to strategically significant nations such as Kenya, Pakistan, and Morocco.

Finally, Baykar signed an agreement with Croatia and completed deliveries to Kenya, Azerbaijan, and the UAE during the autumn and winter months.