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Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken praised Turkish defense company Baykar during a visit to its Ozdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center in Istanbul, saying the drone maker has a unique position within NATO’s defense ecosystem because of its focus on continuous innovation.
Francken visited Baykar while in Türkiye as part of the Belgian Economic Mission, alongside Belgium’s Queen Mathilde and business representatives.
The visit came during the queen’s three-day trip to Türkiye, which began on May 10 and included meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, first lady Emine Erdogan and Trade Minister Omer Bolat.
The Belgian delegation’s program also included business forums and events focused on bilateral cooperation, including defense and the economy.
Francken shared remarks on social media after the visit, praising Istanbul’s economic energy and Baykar’s role in defense technology.
“Istanbul is boiling with entrepreneurial spirit and dynamism,” Francken said, adding that “the future of defense is also being shaped here.”
“Yesterday, I visited Baykar with the Queen and our entrepreneurs. This defense company holds a unique place within NATO because it has made continuous innovation a core principle,” he wrote.
Francken said Baykar began as a small company in the 1980s before growing into a multibillion-euro defense giant founded by two brothers “from scratch.”
“How? By always staying one step ahead. Almost by reading the future,” he said.
During the visit, Baykar Chairman Selcuk Bayraktar briefed Queen Mathilde and her delegation on the company’s unmanned aerial vehicles and kamikaze platforms.
Bayraktar said mass drone production is one of the strongest forms of deterrence a country can have.
“I hope you never have to use them,” Bayraktar told the delegation. “Because drones are in a sense, a deterrent—in fact, one of the greatest deterrents. If you produce enough of them, no one can attack you. That's what we believe.”
The briefing was held at Baykar’s Ozdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center in Istanbul as part of the Belgian economic mission’s visit to Türkiye.
Francken also described Baykar as a pioneer in AI-integrated armed unmanned aerial vehicles, saying the company’s systems continue to improve by flying “higher and farther.”
He said Baykar is now moving toward the next phase of unmanned defense technology through its Kizilelma combat aircraft.
“Now Baykar is moving to the inevitable next step: the unmanned fighter jet,” Francken said, referring to Kizilelma.
“Kizilelma is already in mass production and is also being exported,” he added.
Francken said he would use his meetings in Istanbul to highlight investment opportunities for both Belgian and Turkish businesses.
He noted that 32 Belgium-Türkiye business agreements were expected to be signed later in the day.
The Belgian defense minister also expressed support for updating the Türkiye-European Union Customs Union framework, saying a comprehensive revision could help trade grow more quickly between the two sides.
“If this structure is comprehensively updated, trade between us could grow much faster. Belgium supports this call as well,” Francken said.
“Our companies should not miss this opportunity,” he added.
Francken also encouraged people to visit Istanbul, praising the city’s economic energy and international outlook.
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