Who Is Selçuk Bayraktar? Chairman of Baykar and Head of the T3 Foundation
Selçuk Bayraktar is chairman of defense contractor Baykar and head of the T3 Foundation (anews.com.tr).
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Bayraktar returned to Turkey in 2007 and became chief technology officer of Baykar, and he is known as the designer of the Bayraktar TB2 and the Bayraktar Kızılelma unmanned fighter jet (Wikipedia). He also received a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004 (Wikipedia).
Where Selçuk Bayraktar Is Now
Selçuk Bayraktar is chairman of defense contractor Baykar and head of the T3 Foundation (anews.com.tr). He is also described as chairman of the board of Baykar Technology and chairman of the board of trustees of the KÜME Foundation (dha.com.tr).
- Current role: chairman of defense contractor Baykar; head of the T3 Foundation (anews.com.tr)
- Organization: Baykar, which he said operates in 40 countries and has facilities in 7 countries (dha.com.tr)
- Known for: designer of the Bayraktar TB2 and the Bayraktar Kızılelma unmanned fighter jet (Wikipedia)
- Recent news: warned that unchecked technological ambition risks driving humanity toward "a terrible extinction" (anews.com.tr)
Career and Education
Bayraktar graduated from Robert College in 1997 (Wikipedia). He studied Electronics and Communication Engineering at Istanbul Technical University and received a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004 (Wikipedia).
He returned to Turkey in 2007 and became chief technology officer of Baykar (Wikipedia). He is known as the designer of the Bayraktar TB2 and the Bayraktar Kızılelma unmanned fighter jet, and is the founding chairman of the Turkish Technology Team Foundation and the KÜME Foundation (Wikipedia).
Bayraktar was awarded the Ukrainian Order of Merit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Wikipedia).
Recent News
On March 6, 2025, Bayraktar attended the signing of a Leonardo–Baykar Memorandum of Understanding in Rome (The Aviationist). He said supplying loyal wingman drones for GCAP was a big part of the discussions with Leonardo, and that Baykar would combine ethical AI-driven technologies with Leonardo's AI capability to develop next-generation unmanned solutions (The Aviationist).
Bayraktar and Leonardo's Roberto Cingolani signed the joint venture deal forming LBA Systems (The Aviationist). Bayraktar said the Leonardo partnership reflects Baykar's long-term strategy of deepening international cooperation (The Aviationist).
Bayraktar commented on integrating Edge's Desert Sting 16 guided bomb on Baykar UAVs (Janes).
In remarks reported by anews.com.tr, Bayraktar warned that unchecked technological ambition risks driving humanity toward "a terrible extinction," urging the global community to fundamentally rethink the moral purpose behind technological development (anews.com.tr). He said they had pledged to fly the Bayraktar KIZILELMA in the Turkish Republic's centenary and achieved that goal, and that Fergani Space was established to develop the Ulugh Beg global positioning system, partly funded by Baykar (anews.com.tr).
What He Leads and Stands For
Bayraktar stated that more than 90% of Baykar's revenues come from exports (anews.com.tr), and said Baykar operates in 40 countries and has facilities in 7 countries (dha.com.tr).
He said success in unmanned combat aerial vehicles alone is not enough for full independence and prosperity, and argued that countries like Türkiye should focus on technology races that have yet to begin (anews.com.tr). He also said the global order pursues a strategy of creating addiction and dependence (anews.com.tr).
Bayraktar said producing enough drones means no one can attack a country (Hürriyet Daily News).
TEKNOFEST
Bayraktar said 1.6 million students applied to competitions at TEKNOFEST in Sanliurfa (anews.com.tr).
He spoke at the 'İnsan ve Otonomi' panel at TEKNOFEST Güneydoğu and said TEKNOFEST competitions had participation from 97 countries (Aydınlık).
Selçuk Bayraktar FAQs
Who is Selçuk Bayraktar?
Selçuk Bayraktar is chairman of defense contractor Baykar and head of the T3 Foundation (anews.com.tr). He is known as the designer of the Bayraktar TB2 and the Bayraktar Kızılelma unmanned fighter jet (Wikipedia).
Where did Selçuk Bayraktar study?
He graduated from Robert College in 1997, studied Electronics and Communication Engineering at Istanbul Technical University, and received a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2004 (Wikipedia).
When did Selçuk Bayraktar join Baykar's leadership?
He returned to Turkey in 2007 and became chief technology officer of Baykar (Wikipedia).
What is LBA Systems?
LBA Systems was formed through a joint venture deal signed by Bayraktar and Leonardo's Roberto Cingolani (The Aviationist).
How much of Baykar's revenue comes from exports?
Bayraktar stated that more than 90% of Baykar's revenues come from exports (anews.com.tr).
In how many countries does Baykar operate?
Bayraktar said Baykar operates in 40 countries and has facilities in 7 countries (dha.com.tr).
What awards has Selçuk Bayraktar received?
He was awarded the Ukrainian Order of Merit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Wikipedia).