Baykar hosts Saudi Arabia’s defence minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud

On his official visit to Türkiye, Saudi defence minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud also stopped at Baykar. Haluk Görgün, President of the Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), Baykar Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar and Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar showed him around the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center.

Baykar briefed its guest in detail on defence capabilities, high-tech unmanned platforms and space projects, and on several projects Baykar and the Saudi Ministry of Defence will implement jointly.

Baykar agreement is Türkiye’s largest export deal to date

In July 2023, the two sides had already concluded an export and cooperation agreement for the delivery of Bayraktar Akinci. Under it, the Air Force and Naval Command of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia receive Bayraktar Akinci; it is the largest defence and aviation export deal Türkiye has ever concluded.

Baykar will also provide training, technical support and logistics services for Saudi Arabia. The agreement was signed on 18 July 2023 at a ceremony in Jeddah, in the presence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Parts of the drone production will be located in Saudi Arabia, in line with the kingdom’s goal of strengthening its technology and defence sector. The number of units and the value of the deal remain undisclosed.

The Bayraktar Akinci’s dual avionics with artificial intelligence (AI) support real-time signal processing, sensor fusion and situational awareness. It can operate in mixed formations with fighter jets. Equipment includes electronic support systems, dual satellite communication systems, air-to-air radar, collision avoidance radar and synthetic aperture radar. Besides reconnaissance, the platform can be used for air-to-ground and air-to-air strike missions. Hardware and software are triple-redundant.