Istanbul: Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken praised Turkish drone maker Baykar during a visit to its Ozdemir Bayraktar National Technology Center in Istanbul, saying the company is uniquely positioned within NATO's defense ecosystem due to its commitment to constant innovation.

According to Anadolu Agency, Francken, who is in Trkiye as part of the Belgian Economic Mission, shared remarks on social media following the visit alongside Belgium's Queen Mathilde and business representatives. "Istanbul is boiling with entrepreneurial spirit and dynamism," Francken said, adding that "the future of defense is also being shaped here."

Francken highlighted Baykar's remarkable journey from its beginnings as a small company in the 1980s to becoming a multibillion-euro defense giant founded by two brothers "from scratch." He attributed the company's success to its forward-thinking approach, stating, "How? By always staying one step ahead. Almost by reading the future."

Describing Baykar as a pioneer in AI-integrated armed unmanned aerial vehicles, Francken noted that the systems continue to improve by flying "higher and farther." He emphasized Baykar's advancement with the Kizilelma combat aircraft, stating, "Now Baykar is moving to the inevitable next step: the unmanned fighter jet. Kizilelma is already in mass production and is also being exported."

The minister also emphasized investment opportunities for Belgian and Turkish businesses during his meetings in Istanbul, noting that 32 Belgium-Trkiye business agreements are expected to be signed later in the day. Francken also expressed support for updating the Trkiye-European Union Customs Union framework, suggesting that a comprehensive update could significantly accelerate trade between the regions.

Francken concluded by encouraging international engagement with Istanbul, praising the city's economic energy and international outlook. "Our companies should not miss this opportunity," he added.