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Selcuk Bayraktar, 46, co-founder and chairman of Turkish defense and aerospace company Baykar, has joined Türkiye’s top 10 richest individuals with a net worth of $2.7 billion, according to Forbes’ real-time billionaire list.
His brother, Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar, is also listed among the billionaires and ranks just outside the top 10 with a net worth of $2.4 billion.
Baykar has grown into one of Türkiye’s leading defense exporters, with its drones used by the Turkish military and several international partners.
Selcuk Bayraktar holds a 52.5% stake in the company, which generated $2.5 billion in revenue in 2025, with 88% coming from overseas sales.
The company also recorded $2.2 billion in exports, maintaining its position as the world’s top drone exporter.
The Bayraktar brothers also led Türkiye’s taxpayer rankings in 2025. Selcuk Bayraktar paid ₺2.77 billion ($70 million) in income tax, while Haluk Bayraktar paid ₺2.53 billion, bringing their combined total to ₺5.3 billion ($134 million).
Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of U.S.-based yogurt brand Chobani, held the highest net worth among Turkish-origin billionaires at $13.5 billion, the list showed, placing him well ahead of others with roots in Türkiye.
He was followed by Murat Ulker, owner of food manufacturer Ulker, with a net worth of $5.3 billion.
Saban Cemil Kazanci, chairman of energy conglomerate Kazanci Holding, ranked next with a fortune of $5.1 billion, while Erman Ilicak, chairman of construction firm Ronesans Holding, held a net worth of $3.7 billion, driven by the company’s international infrastructure and real estate projects.
Feridun Gecgel, founder of construction and energy company Astor Group, followed with $3.4 billion. Ferit Faik Sahenk, chairman of Dogus Holding, which operates across banking, tourism, and construction, held a fortune of $3.1 billion, while Semahat Sevim Arsel, a key shareholder in industrial conglomerate Koc Holding, had a net worth of $3 billion.
Filiz Sahenk, a shareholder in Dogus Holding, appeared on the list with $2.9 billion, while Mustafa Rahmi Koc, honorary chairman of Koc Holding, held a fortune of $2.7 billion.
In total, the Forbes list included 31 billionaires from Türkiye.
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