Baykar, a prominent Turkish defense technology company, has signed a partnership with Pakistan’s aerospace hub to expand cooperation between the two countries in the aviation and defense sectors.
The agreement was signed at the launch of the National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP) and National Incubation Center for Aerospace Technologies (NICAT) at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Nurkhan base in Rawalpindi.
Turkish defense firm Baykar’s chairman and chief technology officer (CTO) Selcuk Bayraktar attended the launch event held on August 4.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and country’s Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber, also participated in Pakistan’s aerospace tech park inauguration.
The NASTP and NICAT have been launched to generate high-tech jobs, propel innovation, and encourage tech startups in the South Asian country of 240 million.
Signing of Agreement
Following the opening ceremony, Baykar Tech CTO Selcuk Bayraktar, and Air Marshal Ghulam Abbas Ghumman, who is leading NASTP, signed a cooperation agreement with NASTP for joint research and development (R&D) initiatives within the park.
This agreement solidifies Baykar’s foothold in the NASTP, with its subsidiary, Baykar Teknoloji, at the forefront of spearheading the R&D initiatives within the park. This step signifies a dedication to innovation and technological advancement in the realm of aerospace between the two nations.
Baykar Tech’s active involvement is poised to significantly contribute to the development of Pakistan’sburgeoning aerospace ecosystem, a sector closely aligned with Turkey’s strategic interests.
“This strategic collaboration holds great promise for both nations, fostering technological advancements and enhancing defense capabilities,” Baykar said in its statement.
The advanced Bayraktar Akinci unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) from the Pakistan Air Force inventory was also displayed at NASTP.
Bayraktar Akinci is Türkiye’s most advanced and sophisticated drone. Baykar has a strong export record in the defense sector, with exports amounting to $1.18 billion in 2022, underlining its position as a leading defense exporter.
This collaboration between Turkiye and Pakistan is a continuation of their mutually beneficial bilateral relationship, with a specific focus on nurturing cooperation in the defense sector.
Turkey to engage Pakistan in fighter jet project ‘Kaan’
The Turkish government has also suggested that Pakistan may also officially join its indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet program named ‘KAAN’. Turkiye recently included Azerbaijan in the project as a development partner.
During his visit to Karachi on August 2 to launch the last of the MILGEM-class corvette PNS Tariq, Turkish Deputy Defence Minister Celal Sami Tüfekçi said Ankara and Islamabad would initiate discussions about Pakistan joining the project. “Pretty soon, within this month, we will be discussing with our Pakistani counterparts to officially include Pakistan in our national fighter jet program (Kaan),” Tüfekçi said.
