Bayraktar on Gaza crisis: We are currently in a dark age for all

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

ISTANBUL, TURKEY —  Baykar Chairman Selçuk Bayraktar has characterized the current global state as a "dark age," warning that a world where the killing of babies is legitimized offers safety to no one, referring to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Speaking to Patronlar Dünyası magazine in his most comprehensive interview to date, Bayraktar moved beyond technical achievements to discuss his worldview, defining wealth not as a status symbol but as a "test" and "responsibility."

A dark age for humanity

The most striking moment of the interview emerged when Bayraktar was asked about his personal struggle with life. Rather than a technical answer, he offered a moral critique of the current global order, specifically addressing Israel's actions in Palestine.

"None of us are safe in a world where babies are killed, and this is legitimized," Bayraktar stated. He described the present era as a "dark age" where science, which should elevate humanity, is instead witnessing the normalization of infant deaths.

"This must be a struggle for all of us," he added, emphasizing that technology should be treated as a matter of values, not just power. He noted that while advancements like artificial intelligence represent great discovery, they also carry the potential for great darkness if devoid of ethics.

The silent revolution: Teknofest

Bayraktar described Teknofest, Turkey's premier aerospace and technology festival, as a "silent revolution" and a "revolution of self-confidence." Using a biological metaphor, he compared the festival's impact to planting millions of seeds to achieve a massive result.

He recalled that Baykar’s 30-year journey reached a breaking point with the first UAV (SİHA) firing in 2014. While acknowledging that creating public opinion around science is harder than popular culture topics globally, he argued that Teknofest has successfully popularized technology in Turkey. "We are not at the level of football yet, but there is significant progress," he said.

Wealth as a test of character

When asked about his status among Turkey's tax record holders and wealthiest individuals, Bayraktar drew a clear philosophical framework. He stated that focusing too heavily on material assets causes one to "melt into the rational human model of the capitalist system."

For Bayraktar, concepts such as faith, hope, friendship, family, and ethics stand far above material wealth. He defined wealth and power as "tools" and a "test," noting that the primary emotion they bring him is a sense of increased responsibility.

Meritocracy over polarization

Addressing his bipartisan appeal in Turkey's often polarized political climate, Bayraktar stated, "We have had companions from every segment of society," emphasizing that Baykar does not discriminate.

To illustrate this corporate culture of inclusivity, he shared an anecdote about a young female engineer currently leading production activities at Baykar. He revealed that she had previously been asked to leave a major Turkish appliance company after deciding to wear a headscarf. Bayraktar noted that this same engineer later played a critical role in major projects like the Kızılelma unmanned fighter jet, highlighting the importance of merit over exclusion.

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