Haluk Bayraktar
{{Short description|Turkish engineer and executive}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Haluk Bayraktar
| image = HalukBayraktar1.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|10|04|df=y}}
| education = Middle East Technical University
Columbia University
| occupation = Businessman{{·}}Engineer
| known_for = Baykar
T3 Foundation
SAHA İstanbul
TÜBİTAK
| spouse =
| family = Selçuk Bayraktar (brother)
| awards = File:Karabakh order.png File:Zasluhy-star.jpg File: Zaslugi-3.jpg File: Данакер.png File:For services in the field of military cooperation medal.png
| signature =
}}
Lütfü Haluk Bayraktar (born 4 October 1978) is a Turkish engineer and executive. He is the CEO of Baykar, TÜBİTAK Board Member and founder and chairman of the board of Turkey Technology Team Foundation (T3 Foundation) and SAHA Istanbul.{{Cite web |title=Haluk BAYRAKTAR |url=https://www.tubitak.gov.tr/sites/default/files/2204/haluk_bayraktar_cv.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121044003/https://www.tubitak.gov.tr/sites/default/files/2204/haluk_bayraktar_cv.pdf |archive-date=21 January 2021 |access-date=25 April 2021 |website=tubitak.gov.tr}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sahaistanbul.org.tr/yonetim-kurulu/|title=Arşivlenmiş kopya|accessdate=13 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306221142/http://www.sahaistanbul.org.tr/yonetim-kurulu/|archivedate=6 March 2019|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baykarsavunma.com/yonetim-HALUK-BAYRAKTAR.html|title=Arşivlenmiş kopya|accessdate=13 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415125831/https://www.baykarsavunma.com/yonetim-HALUK-BAYRAKTAR.html|archivedate=15 April 2020|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ssb.gov.tr/urunkatalog/tr/147/|title=SSB – TÜRK SAVUNMA SANAYİİ ÜRÜN KATALOĞU|website=www.ssb.gov.tr}}{{Cite web |title=YÖNETİM KURULU BAŞKANI Haluk BAYRAKTAR – SAHA İstanbul |url=https://sahaistanbul.org.tr/en/uye/haluk-bayraktar-26 |access-date=27 June 2022 |website=YÖNETİM KURULU BAŞKANI Haluk BAYRAKTAR – SAHA İstanbul |language=tr}} He is a pioneer of Turkey for autonomous technology efforts which reshaped battlefields and geopolitics which resulted with a change of future warfare doctrines.{{Cite news|last=Washington|first=James Marson in Istanbul and Brett Forrest in|date=3 June 2021|title=Armed Low-Cost Drones, Made by Turkey, Reshape Battlefields and Geopolitics|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/armed-low-cost-drones-made-by-turkey-reshape-battlefields-and-geopolitics-11622727370|access-date=6 June 2021|issn=0099-9660}}{{Cite web|last=Axe|first=David|title=Behold The Turkish Navy's Drone Aircraft Carrier|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2021/05/10/behold-the-turkish-navys-drone-aircraft-carrier/|access-date=6 June 2021|website=Forbes|language=en}}
Life
Bayraktar was born in 1978 in Istanbul, Turkey. Haluk Bayraktar's father, Özdemir Bayraktar, is the founder of Baykar, a prominent Turkish defense and aviation company. His brother, Selçuk Bayraktar, also plays a significant role in the company, contributing to its operations and advancements in the industry. He completed his undergraduate degree in Industrial Engineering at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in 2000, and went on to earn a master's degree in the same field from Columbia University in 2002.{{Cite web |last=BaykarTech |title=BAYKAR Teknoloji {{!}} HALUK BAYRAKTAR |url=https://baykartech.com/tr/haluk-bayraktar/ |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=baykartech.com |language=tr}}File:Халук Байрактар.jpg]]
File:Azerbaijani, Turkish presidents held one-on-one meeting, June 2021 04.jpg Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev]]
After completing his education in the United States, Bayraktar returned to Turkey and joined Baykar, a company primarily involved in the automotive supplier industry at the time. At Baykar, he took on the role of engineering manager, where he contributed significantly to the company's pioneering efforts in the defense industry, particularly in the research and development and production of Turkey's first national and original Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Systems. During his tenure, he managed various aspects of the product lifecycle, including conceptual design, prototyping, testing, production, and training.
Haluk Bayraktar serves as the CEO of Baykar, a prominent company in Turkey specializing in autonomous technology. He started his tenure at Baykar in 2004, initially working as an engineering manager. Bayraktar has been integral to various facets of the company's operations, encompassing engineering, project management, logistics, and business development.{{cite web|url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/iste-ilk-turk-insansiz-hava-aracini-yapan-uc-kardes-14877955|title=İşte ilk Türk insansız hava aracını yapan üç kardeş|accessdate=|date=30 May 2010|publisher=|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117073532/https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/iste-ilk-turk-insansiz-hava-aracini-yapan-uc-kardes-14877955|archivedate=17 November 2015|url-status=live}}
Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Bayraktar co-founded the Turkey Technology Team (T3) Foundation. This initiative is designed to promote technology education among Turkish youth, encouraging entrepreneurship and providing technology education through various competitions and programs.{{cite web|url=https://www.t3gm.org/ekibimiz-3|title=Ekibimiz|accessdate=13 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415125844/https://www.t3gm.org/ekibimiz-3|archivedate=15 April 2020|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibb.istanbul/News/Detail/34257|title=DENE-YAP TEKNOLOJİ ATÖLYELERİ'NDE PROJELER YARIŞTI|website=www.ibb.istanbul|access-date=25 April 2021|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121015416/https://www.ibb.istanbul/News/Detail/34257|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/bilim-teknoloji/deneyap-atolyeleri-turkiyeye-yayiliyor/1366117|title=Arşivlenmiş kopya|accessdate=16 April 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207132246/https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/bilim-teknoloji/deneyap-atolyeleri-turkiyeye-yayiliyor/1366117|archivedate=7 February 2019|url-status=live}}
He is also a founding member and was the chairman of the board for SAHA Istanbul, the Aerospace and Defense Cooperative, which includes collaboration from over 600 companies and 16 universities.{{Cite web |title=Biz Kimiz ? - SAHA İstanbul |url=https://www.sahaistanbul.org.tr/kurumsal/biz-kimiz |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Biz Kimiz ? - SAHA İstanbul |language=tr}}
During the COVID-19 pandemic, under his leadership, Baykar adapted its resources to design and mass-produce ventilators to assist in the healthcare crisis.{{Cite news|last=Atherton|first=Kelsey D.|title=Drone Maker Creates Ventilators For The War On Coronavirus|language=en|work=Forbes|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kelseyatherton/2020/04/21/drone-maker-creates-ventilators-for-the-war-on-coronavirus/?sh=23cd647f5f45|access-date=6 June 2021}}File:F9is sRXAAAD2Ee.jpgIn the context of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Bayraktar has publicly expressed support for Ukraine. In an interview with CNN, he stated that his company had not supplied and would not supply military technology to Russia, emphasizing support for Ukraine's sovereignty and independence. Haluk Bayraktar has expressed pride that the Bayraktar TB2 drone has become recognized as a symbol of Ukrainian resistance against Russia.{{Cite web |last=Sariyuce |first=Jomana Karadsheh,Isil |date=2022-04-11 |title=Turkish drones have become a symbol of the Ukrainian resistance |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/11/middleeast/mideast-summary-04-11-2022-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=‘We will never’ supply Russia with drones, says Turkish CEO |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/19/turkish-firm-wont-supply-uavs-widely-used-by-ukraine-to-russia |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}
Bayraktar has been recognized for his significant financial contributions to the Turkish economy, ranking as one of the highest income taxpayers in the country in 2021,2022 and 2023.{{Cite web |title=Gelir İdaresi Başkanlığı |url=https://www.gib.gov.tr/sites/default/files/fileadmin/user_upload/VI/2021_GelirVergisi.htm |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=www.gib.gov.tr}}{{Cite web |title=Gelir İdaresi Başkanlığı |url=https://www.gib.gov.tr/sites/default/files/fileadmin/user_upload/VI/2022_GelirVergisi.htm |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=www.gib.gov.tr}}
Honours and medals
Haluk Bayraktar was awarded an Order of Merit of First Degree of Ukraine by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his service to for significant personal merits in strengthening interstate cooperation, support of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, significant contribution to the popularization of the Ukrainian state in the world on 29 August 2022.{{Cite web |title=УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №595/2022 |url=https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/5952022-43765 |website=Президент України}}File:Malian President Assimi Goita awarded Turkish drone magnate Baykar’s general manager.jpgBayraktar was awarded with an Order of Merit of Ukraine at the Presidential Palace in Kyiv by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his service to Ukraine and Ukraine-Turkey relations on 25 August 2020.
Bayraktar was awarded this high award for his contribution to strengthening fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, developing of cooperation, ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Malian President Assimi Goita awarded Turkish drone magnate Baykar’s general manager, Haluk Bayaraktar, and chief technology officer Selçuk Bayraktar along with other two members of their team the country’s “National Order” for their contributions and services to Mali.
The Ordre de L'etalon Officier medal, the country's highest national honour, by the order of Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traore for his outstanding and exceptional contributions to the West African nation’s peace, security and counter-terrorism activities.File:2023-04-25-Burkina Faso.jpgOn 29 October 2023, the State Order of Daneker was awarded to Haluk Bayraktar, the CEO of Baykar, by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, in recognition of the support provided to the security and technology of the Kyrgyz Republic through Turkey's indigenous and national UAVs, Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar AKINCI.
Haluk Bayraktar was awarded the Ethiopian Federal Democratic Republic Honor Medal on 16 December 2023, for his valuable contributions to enhancing and developing the national and air force capabilities of Ethiopia. The medal was presented to Bayraktar during a ceremony in Addis Ababa, as part of the 88th anniversary celebrations of the Ethiopian Air Force, in the presence of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, by Chief of General Staff Marshal Birhanu Jula and Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Yilma Merdasa.{{Cite web |title=Baykar Genel Müdürü Haluk Bayraktar'a Etiyopya'dan Onur Madalyası |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/bilim-teknoloji/baykar-genel-muduru-haluk-bayraktara-etiyopyadan-onur-madalyasi/3084566 |access-date=17 December 2023 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}
Haluk Bayraktar became the first civilian to receive the Medal of Superior Service, Kosovo’s highest military honor, from Kosovan Defense Minister Ejup Maqedonci on 6 November 2023.{{Cite web |last=Naim |date=6 November 2023 |title=Ministri Maqedonci dekoron drejtorin e "Bayraktarit" |url=https://paparaci.com/378039/maqedonci-dekoron-drejtorin-e-bayraktarit/ |access-date=7 November 2023 |website=Paparaci |language=en-US}}
He received the Medal for Assistance in the Protection of the State Border from the Ukraine State Border Control and was also awarded the Ukraine Airforce Medal for Skill, Honor, and Courage by the Ukrainian Air Force Command.
On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the state company Antonov Aircraft Factory, the Antonov medal was presented for its contributions to the aviation industry.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine awarded the “Star of Military Brotherhood” medal to Haluk Bayraktar. The medals were presented by Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleschuk, a war hero and commander of the Ukraine’s Air Force, at a Ukrainian military base on 2 February 2024.{{Cite web |title=Командувач Повітряних сил зустрівся з директором Baykar |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2024/02/2/7440158/ |access-date=3 February 2024 |website=Українська правда |language=uk}}
On March 14, 2025, Haluk Bayraktar was awarded the "For services in the field of military cooperation" medal by Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov.{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan Defense Minister meets with the CEO of Baykar company, awards him medal |url=https://en.apa.az/military/azerbaijan-defense-minister-meets-with-the-ceo-of-baykar-company-awards-him-medal-462848 |access-date=2025-03-14 |website=Apa.az |language=en}}
| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 90%;"
! class="unsortable" | Ribbon bar ! Award or decoration ! Country ! Date ! Place ! class="unsortable" | Note ! class="unsortable" | Ref. |
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|Order of Merit of Ukraine (1st Degree) |{{flag|Ukraine}} |29 August 2022 |Kyiv |Haluk was awarded an Order of Merit of 1st Degree of Ukraine by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his service to for significant personal merits in strengthening interstate cooperation, support of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, significant contribution to the popularization of the Ukrainian state in the [https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/5952022-43765 world] |[https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/5952022-43765] |
| 94x94px
| Order of Merit of Ukraine (3rd Degree) | {{flag|Ukraine}} | align="center" | {{Ntsh|20200825}} 25 August 2020 | Kyiv | Haluk was awarded with an Order of Merit of Ukraine at the Presidential Palace in Kyiv by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his service to Ukraine and Ukraine-Turkey relations | {{Cite web|url=https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/3412020-34825|title=УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №341/2020|website=Офіційне інтернет-представництво Президента України}}{{Cite web|url=https://defence-ua.com/news/zelenskij_nagorodiv_direktora_baykar_technologies_haluka_bajraktara_derzhavnim_ordenom-1493.html|title=Зеленський нагородив директора Baykar Makina Халука Байрактара державним орденом | Defense Express|website=defence-ua.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/baykar-genel-muduru-bayraktar-ukrayna-devleti-tarafindan-ustun-hizmet-nisanina-layik-goruldugum-icin-onur-duydum/1953252|title=Baykar Genel Müdürü Bayraktar: Ukrayna devleti tarafından üstün hizmet nişanına layık görüldüğüm için onur duydum|website=www.aa.com.tr}} |
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| {{flag|Azerbaijan}} | align="center" | {{Ntsh|20210615}} 15 June 2021 | Shusha | Bayraktar was awarded this high award for his contribution to strengthening fraternal relations between Azerbaijan and Turkey, developing of cooperation, ensuring the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Azerbaijan |{{cite news |title= Aliyev'den Haluk Bayraktar'a Karabağ Nişanı |url= https://www.haberturk.com/aliyev-den-haluk-bayraktar-a-karabag-nisani-3105204 |access-date=16 June 2021 |publisher=Daily Sabah |date=15 June 2021}}{{cite news |title=Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev awarded Haluk Bayraktar with "Karabakh" order |url=https://apa.az/en/xeber/official-news/azerbaijani-president-ilham-aliyev-awarded-haluk-bayraktar-with-karabakh-order-photo-351754 |access-date=16 June 2021 |agency=Apa.az |date=15 June 2021}} |
| File:Mali Ordre national du Mali Officier ribbon.svg
|{{Flag|Mali}} |19 October 2023 |Bamako |Malian President Assimi Goita awarded Turkish drone magnate Baykar’s general manager, Haluk Bayaraktar, and chief technology officer Selçuk Bayraktar along with other two members of their team the country’s “National Order” for their contributions and services to Mali. |
| File:Burkina Faso Ordre national GO ribbon.svg
|Ordre de L'etalon Officier of Burkina Faso |{{Flag|Burkina Faso}} |25 April 2023 |Ouagadougou |The Ordre de L'etalon Officier medal, the country's highest national honour, by the order of Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traore for his outstanding and exceptional contributions to the West African nation’s peace, security and counter-terrorism activities. |
| File:Order Danaker.jpg
|Medal of the Order of Danaker |{{Flag|Kyrgyzstan}} |28 October 2023 |Bishkek |On 29 October 2023, the State Order of Daneker was awarded to Haluk Bayraktar, the CEO of Baykar, by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadır Caparov, in recognition of the support provided to the security and technology of the Kyrgyz Republic through Turkey's indigenous and national UAVs, Bayraktar TB2 and Bayraktar AKINCI |
| |Distinguished Service Medal
|{{Flag|Republic of Kosovo}} |6 November 2023 |Pristina |Awarded with distinguished Service Medal for the dedication and contribution given to the development of the strategic defense capacities of the Republic of Kosovo on 6 November 2023. |
| |Ukraine State Border Control Service Medal
|{{Flag|Ukraine}} |1 September 2023 |Kyiv |Medal for assistance in the protection of the state border |
| |Ukraine Airforce
|{{Flag|Ukraine}} |6 April 2023 |Kyiv |Medal for skill, honor, and courage by the Ukrainian Air Force Command. |
| |State Enterprise Antonov
|{{Flag|Ukraine}} |14 September 2021 |Kyiv |On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the state company Antonov Aircraft Factory (Ukraine), the Antonov medal was presented for its contributions to the aviation industry |
| |Ministry of Defense, Ukraine
|{{Flag|Ukraine}} |2 February 2024 |Vinnitsa |The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine awarded the “Star of Military Brotherhood” medal to Haluk Bayraktar. The medals were presented by Lt. Gen. Mykola Oleschuk, a war hero and commander of the Ukraine’s Air Force, at a Ukrainian military base on 2 February 2024. |
| File:For services in the field of military cooperation medal.png
|Medal for Services in Military Cooperation |{{Flag|Azerbaijan}} |14 March 2025 |Baku |On March 14, 2025, during his visit to Azerbaijan, Haluk Bayraktar was awarded the "For services in the field of military co-operation" medal by Minister of Defense of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov. |
References
{{Reflist}}
Category:Chevaliers of the Order of Merit (Ukraine)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bayraktar, Haluk}}