09.02.2026 14:56
A documentary about the life of Özdemir Bayraktar, who played a pioneering role in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles in Turkey, has been introduced. The documentary revealed that even while in intensive care, Bayraktar had his children make a presentation to President Erdoğan regarding UAV projects.
The life of Özdemir Bayraktar, who played a critical role in taking the first step in the development process of unmanned aerial vehicles in Turkey, has been turned into a documentary. The documentary was introduced with a screening held at the 'Özdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center' located in Hadımköy, Istanbul.
Attending the screening were Özdemir Bayraktar's sons, Baykar General Manager Haluk Bayraktar and Baykar Board Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar, Özdemir Bayraktar's wife Canan Bayraktar, President Tayyip Erdoğan's daughter and Selçuk Bayraktar's wife Sümeyye Erdoğan Bayraktar, Erdoğan's son and Chairman of the Ilim Yayma Foundation Bilal Erdoğan, AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül, Minister of National Defense Yaşar Güler, and Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır.
THE FILMING LASTED 3 YEARS
The documentary, which was announced to have lasted three years, included filming in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Antalya, featuring the testimonies of 47 individuals. According to the statement made; previously unpublished footage of Özdemir Bayraktar was shared for the first time through a wide archive search. High-ranking military personnel, bureaucrats, politicians, close friends, and family narrated their testimonies regarding Özdemir Bayraktar's process of developing UAVs in Turkey.
It was announced that the documentary shared on Baykar's YouTube channel could also be watched on TRT Documentary, and the digital platforms D-Smart GO, Tabii, TV+, and Tivibu's broadcast libraries.
On the other hand, the book "Özdemir Bayraktar | A Raider Passed Through This World," which details Özdemir Bayraktar's life, has also met with readers. The book includes photographs and historical documents shared for the first time, just like in the documentary.
"HE MADE A UAV PRESENTATION TO HIS CHILDREN WHILE IN INTENSIVE CARE"
The documentary describes how Bayraktar, who set sail with his friends in Çanakkale, suffered a heart condition in 2009 and made his children do a UAV presentation while in intensive care:
"He had pain in his chest, the aorta was rupturing. He was brought to Istanbul by helicopter. He got off the ambulance, his pulse was 10, he could have been critically declared dead. The aorta had ruptured, he opened his eyes in intensive care. The Prime Minister (Tayyip Erdoğan) was there for a get-well visit, when he opened his eyes, they said, 'Let the children make a presentation about the UAV program.'
(Selçuk Bayraktar) We were outside, my mother, my brother, and I were making the presentation. My father lived for his work."
Retired Colonel Mustafa Köseoğlu describes Özdemir Bayraktar's efforts to carry out engineering activities at military bases:
"At first, we were cautious, we would transport him to military base areas by helicopter like the unit personnel... They would go by helicopter or plane, Özdemir Bey wanted to go too, I wouldn't let him board the helicopter. When he said, 'Why aren't you sending me, President?' I said, 'You have a mustache, they will understand you are not a soldier, they will understand you are a civilian, they won't take you on the helicopter.' The next day he came after cutting his mustache, then we couldn't stop him."