Baykar, one of Türkiye’s leading defence industry companies, has announced plans to establish a new production hub on a 400-decare site in Tekkeköy, Samsun. In a statement shared on the national social platform NeXT Social, the company highlighted that the investment will bring advanced manufacturing capabilities and skilled employment opportunities to the region. With this step, Baykar aims to position the Black Sea region as a key hub for the defence and aviation industries.
First Production Hub in Anatolia
This facility, Baykar’s first production hub in Anatolia, will be located on an expansive site in Tekkeköy. Since its founding, the company has financed all its projects with its own resources. Since launching its UAV R&D programme in 2003, Baykar has generated 83% of its revenues from exports, maintaining a strong position in the global market.
Export Leadership
Baykar achieved $1.8 billion in exports in 2023. In 2024, it once again reached $1.8 billion in exports, with 90% of its revenues coming from international sales.
In both 2023 and 2024, it ranked among Türkiye’s top 10 exporters across all sectors and received the “Export Champions Award.”
Furthermore, between 2021 and 2024, Baykar maintained its position as the leader in defence and aviation exports, according to data from the Defence Industry Agency and the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM).
Global Success and Agreements
In 2023, Baykar alone accounted for one-third of Türkiye’s defence and aviation exports, and in 2024, one-quarter. It is currently the world’s largest producer of armed UAVs.
The company has export agreements with 36 countries in total — 35 for the Bayraktar TB2 UCAV and 15 for the Bayraktar AKINCI UCAV.
Baykar’s investment in Samsun will contribute not only to the domestic defence industry but also to regional development. Once operational, the new facility will establish the Black Sea region as a strategic hub for high-tech production and exports.
