The Reasons Behind the Pakistan Air Force's Strong Partnership Preference for Baykar Group Over Other Turkish Defence Firms
Summary
The Pakistan Air Force Chief of Air Staff visited Türkiye in May 2026 and notably chose to meet exclusively with Baykar Technologies Group Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar among all Turkish defence manufacturers, deliberately bypassing major firms such as Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), Aselsan, and Roketsan. The PAF-Baykar relationship began with the procurement of Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı-B unmanned combat aerial vehicles, but evolved significantly beyond standard arms purchases into co-development of entirely new systems tailored to PAF requirements, including the KaGeM V3 cruise missile/loitering munition and the YiHA loitering munition series. Baykar subsequently formalized and deepened its Pakistani presence by establishing Baykar Technologies Pakistan as a dedicated subsidiary targeting both Air Headquarters and the broader Pakistani drone market, moving beyond its earlier embedded role at the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park. Reports from December 2025 indicated advanced discussions between Türkiye and Pakistan regarding a drone assembly facility potentially involving stealth drone technology, likely referencing the Bayraktar Kızılelma, with Baykar Technologies Pakistan actively recruiting engineers suggesting indigenous development ambitions rather than mere assembly operations. The CAS's deliberate and selective engagement with Baykar signals that this relationship has matured into a strategically prioritized, deeply institutionalized partnership centered on co-production and technological self-sufficiency.
Key Takeaways
- 1. **Strategic Partnership Exclusivity:** The PAF's deliberate decision to engage only Baykar during the May 2026 visit signals a clear preference that elevates Baykar above all other Turkish defence OEMs, reflecting a highly targeted and strategically motivated relationship rather than a broad Turkish defence partnership
- 2. **Co-Development Over Procurement:** The relationship has evolved from standard arms purchases to collaborative development of original weapons systems designed specifically around PAF operational requirements, demonstrating a qualitatively deeper level of defence-industrial cooperation
- 3. **Indigenous Production Ambitions:** The establishment of Baykar Technologies Pakistan as a local subsidiary, combined with active engineer recruitment, strongly indicates Pakistan's intent to develop genuine in-country drone and loitering munitions production capability rather than dependence on imports
- 4. **Stealth Drone Acquisition Trajectory:** Advanced discussions surrounding a potential drone assembly plant referencing stealth platforms like the Bayraktar Kızılelma suggest the PAF is positioning itself to acquire next-generation unmanned combat capabilities with significant operational implications for regional air power balance
- 5. **Asymmetric but Effective Model:** Pakistan's incremental procurement strategy — inducting small numbers of advanced platforms before scaling up — appears to serve as a deliberate pathway to technology transfer and co-production agreements, representing a replicable defence acquisition model for emerging air forces