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Turkish defense giant Baykar is developing small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar told journalists Wednesday, according to a report by Middle East Eye.
Türkiye is preparing to extend its defense industry expertise into the energy sector. Bayraktar said Baykar has joined the group of companies working on SMR development and confirmed that the Turkish drone manufacturer is designing a 40-megawatt (MW) SMR unit.
Türkiye aims to generate 10% to 15% of its electricity from nuclear energy by 2050, with plans to operate 12 large-scale reactors. The government also targets an additional 5,000 MW of capacity from small modular reactors, a newer nuclear technology that allows for scalable, compact power generation.
“Baykar is working on SMR technology,” Bayraktar said. “They are trying to build a 40-megawatt unit.”
He added that Ankara is preparing a new draft law on nuclear technology that would regulate the field and allow private companies to develop prototypes after meeting specific requirements.
SMRs are still in the early stages of development and require significant investment. According to open sources, 51 SMR designs in 15 countries are in various stages of pre-licensing or licensing. Recent international reports have also suggested that Türkiye could advance SMR cooperation with US companies.
Bayraktar said the upcoming legislation will permit private firms to develop domestic SMR prototypes if they meet technical and safety standards. He added that new support mechanisms will be introduced to encourage investment in nuclear research and development.
Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar said in September that nuclear technologies are becoming increasingly strategic as global energy demand rises.
“Türkiye is not yet at the level it deserves in this field,” he said. “We must build our own nuclear capacity and develop this technology independently. The way to achieve this is by training thousands of engineers in this field.”
Minister Bayraktar has previously noted that Türkiye’s electricity demand will triple over the next 30 years. “Türkiye has a target of commissioning 7 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2035,” he said. “If we can also add small modular reactors, this will increase to 20 gigawatts by 2050.”
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