A delegation led by Belgian Queen Mathilde visited Baykar. During the meetings held at the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center, defence industry cooperation, Europe’s security architecture, and Türkiye’s rise in UCAV technologies came to the forefront.
As part of the Belgian Economic Mission’s official visit to Türkiye, the high-level delegation led by Belgian Queen Mathilde visited the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center, where Baykar’s national UCAV technologies are developed. The meeting went beyond being merely a diplomatic courtesy visit; it once again highlighted Europe’s growing interest in Türkiye’s defence industry capabilities amid the changing security landscape.
The visit was also attended by Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot, Defence Minister Theo Francken, regional government representatives, diplomats, academics, and private sector representatives.
Baykar’s production strength and R&D capacity examined on site
Throughout the visit, Queen Mathilde and the accompanying delegation were hosted by Baykar Chairman and Chief Technology Officer Selçuk Bayraktar and Baykar General Manager Haluk Bayraktar. The delegation received comprehensive information about the work carried out at the R&D centre where Baykar’s national and indigenous unmanned aerial vehicles are developed.
Within the programme, the prominence of the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV particularly attracted attention. In defence industry circles, AKINCI is regarded not merely as an air platform, but as one of the symbols of Türkiye’s high-technology production capability.
At the end of the visit, the presentation of a model of Bayraktar KIZILELMA to Queen Mathilde carried an important symbolic message. The gesture demonstrated that Türkiye is now building a technology ecosystem aimed not only at addressing current defence needs, but also at shaping the future concepts of aerial warfare.
Selçuk Bayraktar: “The era of strong alliances has begun”
In his statements following the visit, Selçuk Bayraktar emphasised not only the defence industry, but also important points regarding global geopolitical balances.
Bayraktar stated that cooperation has become critical during a period in which Europe’s security architecture is being reshaped, while also drawing attention to Baykar’s strong position in the global unmanned aerial vehicle export market. His remarks reflected developments seen particularly in recent years, showing that European countries have increasingly been seeking alternative and rapid solutions in the field of defence.
Bayraktar noted that global security crises are deepening and warned that competition among countries could further increase existing risks. Instead, he stated that a new era has begun in which technology sharing, joint production, and strategic alliances will come to the forefront.
Türkiye’s impact on Europe’s defence agenda
The timing of the visit was also considered noteworthy. At a time when defence spending is increasing across Europe, supply chain problems persist, and new security strategies are being debated, the Belgian delegation’s engagement with Baykar once again brought Türkiye’s growing influence in the defence industry to the agenda.
According to experts, European countries are no longer turning solely to traditional defence giants; they are also increasingly seeking next-generation technology companies with rapid production capabilities, proven operational success, and cost advantages. Baykar’s export success on a global scale in recent years is considered one of the strongest examples of this transformation.
Meanwhile, Bayraktar’s emphasis that “Europe is Türkiye’s largest trading partner” indicated that defence industry cooperation also carries a strategic dimension in terms of economic relations.
A new era of diplomacy in Türkiye’s defence industry
Belgian Queen Mathilde’s visit to Baykar demonstrated that the technological level reached by Türkiye’s defence industry is gaining an increasingly important place within international diplomatic engagement. Especially amid the current atmosphere in which Europe’s search for security has intensified, Türkiye-based defence companies are now being regarded not only as manufacturers, but also as strategic partners.
