The inspirational life story of Baykar founder Özdemir Bayraktar has been brought to the screen in a new documentary entitled “Özdemir Bayraktar | An Akıncı Passed Through This World.” The documentary, featuring eyewitness accounts and previously unseen archival footage, is now streaming on Baykar’s YouTube channel and various digital platforms. A comprehensive book prepared as part of the same project has also been published simultaneously.

ISTANBUL
7 FEBRUARY 2026

A new documentary entitled “Özdemir Bayraktar | An Akıncı Passed Through This World,” which tells the life story and struggles of Baykar founder Özdemir Bayraktar, a pioneer of the National Technology Initiative, was released today. The documentary, prepared by Baykar in loving memory of Özdemir Bayraktar, highlights the unwavering character of our founder, who devoted his life to the ideal of a fully independent Türkiye, as well as the bureaucratic and military challenges he faced throughout the UCAV journey.

THREE YEARS OF PRODUCTION
The new documentary is the product of three years of dedicated work. Filmed in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya, the project presents previously unseen footage of Özdemir Bayraktar to audiences. It also details the challenging efforts undertaken by the Bayraktar family at military bases across eastern and southeastern Türkiye, working alongside men and women in uniform to develop a UCAV.

EYEWITNESSES RECOUNT HIS STRUGGLE
As part of the documentary project, 47 prominent figures from across the country were filmed, including senior military leaders, high-ranking officials, politicians, close friends, and members of the Bayraktar family, all sharing what they witnessed as Özdemir Bayraktar strove to develop a UCAV in Türkiye and the obstacles he faced along the way. Through these firsthand accounts, the documentary presents the anatomy of an uncompromising struggle that continues to inspire entrepreneurs and innovators.

COMPANION BOOK RELEASED
Alongside the documentary, a book bearing the same title was also published, offering a detailed insight into the life of Özdemir Bayraktar. The volume provides a precise historical account of the National Technology Initiative. The book, the product of meticulous archival research, features previously unseen photographs and historical documents—mirroring the depth and scope of the documentary itself.

STREAMING ON BAYKAR’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Following its premiere at the Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center, attended by distinguished guests from the media, the arts, sports, and the business community, the documentary was officially released on Baykar’s YouTube channel. The production is currently available with English, Arabic, Russian, and Ukrainian subtitles for international audiences, and additional language options will be added soon. The documentary will also be broadcast on TRT Belgesel and made available on digital platforms such as D-Smart GO, Tabii, TV+, and Tivibu.

INDIVIDUALS FEATURED ON THE DOCUMENTARY
Abdullah Eren (President, TİKA), Ahmet Yavuz (Retired General), Adnan Bali (Chairman, İş Bankası), Alparslan Erdoğan (Retired General), Akif Alacacı (Pilot), Ali Taşkıran (Friend), Arif Çetin (Retired General; Former Commander of the Gendarmerie General Command), Ata Kalkan (Retired General), Prof. Dr. Aydın Yıldırım (Cardiologist), Bülent Tatlıcan (Friend), Bülent Ardıç (Retired Colonel), Cemal Uzunovalı (Friend), Prof. Dr. Cevdet Erdöl (Rector), Ekber Onuk (Friend), Ercüment Tatlıoğlu (Admiral; Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces), "Ergin Saygun (Retired General; Former Deputy Chief of the General Staff), Ergüder Toptaş (Retired General), Prof. Dr. Erhan Afyoncu (Rector, National Defense University; Historian), Fatih Kacır (Minister of Industry and Technology), Haluk Bayraktar (CEO, Baykar; Son of Özdemir Bayraktar), Haluk Görgün (President, Defense Industry Agency), Prof. Dr. İsmail Yüksek (Rector), Kemal Kırış (Retired General), Mehmet Ali Güney (Deputy General Manager, Baykar), Mahmut Vanlıoğlu (Friend), Melih Han Bilgin (Former General Manager, TPAO), Murat Caner (Veteran Non-Commissioned Officer), Mustafa Köseoğlu (Retired Colonel; Deputy General Manager, Baykar), Mustafa Varank (Former Minister of Industry and Technology), Oğuz Özbal (Head of UAV Department, Defense Industry Agency), Orhan Öge (Former Deputy Undersecretary, Defense Industry Agency), Osman Gazi Kandemir (Retired General), Dr. Osman Güneş (Friend), Osman Okyay (Acting Chairman of the Board, Kale Group), Ömer Bayraktar (Brother), Ömer Faruk Küçük (Retired General), Salih Bayraktar (Brother), Salih Zeki Çolak (Retired General; Former Commander of the Turkish Land Forces), Selçuk Bayraktar (Chairman, Baykar; Son of Özdemir Bayraktar), Selçuk Yaşar (Former Chairman, Roketsan), Serdar Yılmaz (Friend), Turgut Şenol (Founding General Manager, Teknopark Istanbul), Uğur Tarçın (Retired General), Yaşar Kadıoğlu (Air General; Head of Assessment and Monitoring, Turkish Air Force), Zekai Aksakallı (Retired General; Former Commander of the Special Forces), Zeynep Okyay (Chairwoman, Kale Group)