Social Responsibilities
Pioneer of National Technology Initiative, BAYKAR
Since it was founded, BAYKAR, a pioneer in Turkey's defense industry, has been exploiting its role to disseminate technological development with socially responsible projects. Thanks to Baykar’s projects, the majority of people have achieved social awareness. Aiming to produce Turkish high-tech, Baykar continues to support initiatives in order to increase the capacity and competence of well-trained people both in social and professional life.
The Turkish Technology Team (T3) Foundation was established in 2016 with the aim of realizing Türkiye’s “National Technology Initiative” vision and ensuring the country’s technological independence. The foundation’s primary mission is to enable the active participation of talented young people — as well as individuals of all ages interested in technology — in development processes, thereby supporting the creation of high value-added, national, and original technological projects.
To instill a passion for technology at an early age, the T3 Foundation carries out the Bilim Türkiye and Keşif Kampüsü programs for children. For middle and high school students, more than 130 DENEYAP Technology Workshops have been established across 81 provinces in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and TÜBİTAK. In these workshops, young people receive comprehensive training in critical fields such as design-production, robotics, coding, electronics, software, and aviation-space.
Alongside all its activities, the T3 Foundation is one of the main stakeholders of TEKNOFEST, the Aviation, Space, and Technology Festival, which plays a key role in the socialization of the National Technology Initiative. The foundation also supports advanced-stage individuals and ideas. Through the T3 Entrepreneurship Center (T3GM), it provides incubation and acceleration support to technology-focused business ideas, while T3 Academy and the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Scholarship Program contribute to the personal development of students and young professionals.
In addition to these programs, the foundation actively carries out strategic technology projects aimed at strengthening Türkiye’s digital infrastructure, such as the T3 AI Large Language Model Project and the KÜRE Digital Encyclopedia Project.
Accepting no donations other than from its founders, the sole supporter of the T3 Foundation is Baykar. Under the active leadership of Board of Trustees Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar and Board Member Haluk Bayraktar, the foundation continues its efforts toward transforming Türkiye into a society that develops technology.
TEKNOFEST is the world’s largest aerospace and technology festival, organized through the partnership of many leading institutions that play a critical role in advancing national technology in Türkiye. Carrying the vision of the National Technology Initiative into the future through the hands of young generations, TEKNOFEST has become a cornerstone on the path toward a fully independent and prosperous Türkiye.
First held in 2018, the TEKNOFEST Aerospace, Space, and Technology Festival hosts a wide range of activities, including technology competitions, air shows, concerts, talks, and various thematic events. The festival aims to increase public interest in technology and to raise awareness about transforming Türkiye into a society that produces and develops technology.
By 2025, TEKNOFEST—held for the 13th time—had received over 4.5 million competitors and nearly 2 million team applications in total since its inception. With TEKNOFEST Istanbul 2025, the total number of visitors exceeded 11 million. The most recent edition featured 64 main categories and 150 subcategories across its competitions.
As one of the main stakeholders, Baykar has played a vital role in TEKNOFEST by providing technical support, mentorship, and financial contributions. The 2025 festival was organized with the participation of 139 partner institutions.
ÖZDEMİR BAYRAKTAR NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The Turkish Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation) has supported 13,162 students through the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Scholarship Program. As of 2024, with contributions from Baykar, we are offering scholarships to 5,000 students. These scholarships, available through four distinct programs, provide students with opportunities to enhance their skills by participating in various activities.
The “Rising Star Scholarship Program” offers recipients a monthly scholarship of 3,000 TRY, along with private education opportunities and the chance to participate in foundation projects. The “Trainer Mentor Scholarship Program” provides a monthly stipend of 3,000 TRY, enabling scholarship recipients to work as trainers at DENEYAP Technology Workshops in their areas of expertise. The “Educational Support Scholarship Program” offers students a monthly scholarship of 2,000 TRY with the aim of getting them involved in foundation programs. Lastly, the “You Are the Future Scholarship Program” supports foundation projects across 81 provinces, facilitates task-based project development, and contributes to research and process management by providing recipients with a monthly stipend of 2,500 TRY.
Türkiye Scholarships & Baykar Technology Joint Scholarship Program
As the Baykar family, we proudly support 200 successful students in coordination with the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities (YTB). Through the Türkiye Scholarships & Baykar Technology Joint Scholarship Program, we provide scholarships to 148 undergraduate and 52 graduate students.
From Ukraine to Djibouti, from Pakistan to Niger, and from Azerbaijan to Morocco, we are committed to fostering fair, ethical, and highly skilled generations of students from 18 fraternal and friendly countries. These students will contribute to the prosperity of both Türkiye and their home countries.
EARTHQUAKE RESPONSE
On February 6, 2023, Türkiye faced a devastating disaster—one of the largest earthquakes in history, affecting 11 provinces. Baykar responded immediately and actively to this crisis. Our unmanned aerial vehicles were deployed to conduct field reconnaissance, while soup kitchens and container cities were swiftly established to support the affected regions.
Baykar stood by our citizens impacted by what has been termed the “Disaster of the Century,” with over 150 volunteer Baykar personnel and 18 teams working in coordination with non-governmental organizations. We provided a wide range of in-kind aid, including tents, generators, medicine, clothing, toys, and hygiene supplies, to those in need and for search and rescue operations. Our volunteer teams remained in the region for days, tirelessly working to meet the basic needs of the earthquake victims.
In Hatay and Kahramanmaraş, we operated three temporary soup kitchens, providing three meals a day for months. Additionally, in coordination with the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (Interior Ministry), we established Baykar Container City in Kahramanmaraş, offering safe and peaceful accommodation for 2,000 people until permanent housing could be completed.
PERMANENT RESIDENCES FOR EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS
In response to the devastating earthquake, Baykar initiated the construction of permanent residences for those in need in Adıyaman, Hatay, and Kahramanmaraş. We were actively involved in the intensive aid campaigns launched following the disaster. As part of this effort, we have completed a project that includes 352 houses in Hatay, 352 houses in Adıyaman, and 308 houses in Kahramanmaraş, totaling 1,012 permanent residences.
HUMANITARIAN AID
As Baykar, we do not remain indifferent to the humanitarian problems around us.
GAZA
In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where a humanitarian catastrophe continues due to the occupation by Israel, Baykar has donated $10 million to the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and the Türkiye Diyanet Foundation, bolstering their relief efforts.
UKRAINE
Since February 2022, Baykar has been committed to providing substantial humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people, who have been displaced and are facing immense challenges in meeting their basic needs due to the ongoing conflict.
LIBYA
In the wake of devastating floods in Libya, a nation with which Türkiye shares a close bond of friendship and brotherhood, Baykar extended significant humanitarian assistance.
IDLIB, SYRIA
Baykar continues to support the people of Syria, who have endured severe hardships in accessing basic necessities for over a decade due to the protracted conflict.
The Canan Bayraktar Public Health Foundation
The Canan Bayraktar Public Health Foundation, established in 2020, is dedicated to advancing research in immunology, oncology, psychology, psychiatry, and rare diseases. One of the foundation's key focus areas is addressing social issues and pioneering innovative treatments. The foundation actively develops psychosocial intervention and rehabilitation programs in collaboration with scientific research, particularly in the fields of oncology and psychology. Its mission includes establishing laboratories, institutes, and higher education centers to support future research and forming partnerships, both materially and morally, with relevant institutions.
Within the foundation operates BAĞDAM (Contextual Behavioral Sciences Center), a specialized research center dedicated to studying human behavior and clinical issues across multiple levels and dimensions, adhering to the principles of contextual behavioral sciences.
BAYKAR NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
The Baykar National Technology Vocational and Technical High School is a project school established under the "Vocational Education Cooperation Protocol" signed between Baykar and the Ministry of National Education on May 31, 2024. The school offers a comprehensive five-year education program, including an English preparatory year. It is the first vocational and technical high school in Istanbul dedicated to the fields of defense, aviation, and space.
Students receive extensive education and training in highly sought-after areas, such as "Aerospace Technology" (encompassing propulsion systems, electronic systems, design, and manufacturing) and "Information Technologies" (with a focus on software development). As part of the curriculum, students are required to complete internships, which they undertake within ongoing projects at Baykar. After graduation, Baykar actively supports students in securing employment opportunities.
Each student at the Baykar National Technology Vocational and Technical High School benefits from scholarship support provided by Baykar. The students are trained by Baykar’s expert staff and academic advisors, who bring global experience to the classroom. Additionally, Baykar equips the school with state-of-the-art workshops, laboratories, and all necessary educational tools.
Feeling responsible for the future Turkey’s defense and aviation industry, BAYKAR is welcoming high school and college students in its Hadımköy, Istanbul R & D Center.
During their visits, students have observed the production line.
Followingly, BAYKAR Technical Manager Selçuk Bayraktar and experienced engineers at BAYKAR present themselves and share a sincere talk with the guests.
All in all, BAYKAR is highly proud of welcoming Turkey’s future.
