Baykar, Turkey’s leading unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology company, has taken a significant step in the field of defence industry cooperation with Korean Air, South Korea’s flag carrier airline.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two companies was signed during the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) by Baykar CEO Haluk Bayraktar and Korean Air CEO KH Lee.
The agreement aims to enhance cooperation in research and development, technology sharing, production, training, and operational experience in the fields of defence and aerospace.
From “Teach Us to Build UAVs” to Official Partners
South Korea had previously applied to learn UAV manufacturing from Turkey, inspired by the operational success of the Bayraktar TB2. This new partnership marks a concrete step towards realising that request.
Baykar: A Technology Export Leader
With its entirely self-funded developments such as the Bayraktar TB2, Bayraktar Akıncı, and the recently unveiled Bayraktar KIZILELMA, Baykar plays a pioneering role in Turkey’s defence exports. The company has exported its platforms to more than 30 countries to date.
Korean Air: From Civil Aviation to Defence Industry
Globally recognised in civil aviation, Korean Air has been expanding its capabilities in defence and space technologies in recent years. The cooperation agreement with Baykar aligns with South Korea’s ambition to boost its domestic capabilities in these sectors.
