In a significant technological diversification, Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar is now developing small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology according to Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar. The announcement came during a press briefing on Wednesday, revealing Turkey’s ambitious nuclear energy roadmap that aims to derive 10-15% of its electricity from nuclear sources by 2050 through twelve conventional reactors.
The government’s comprehensive plan includes achieving 5,000 megawatts of capacity from innovative SMR technology. Minister Bayraktar specified that Baykar is currently engineering a 40-megawatt unit, representing Turkey’s entry into advanced nuclear development.
Supporting this technological push, Ankara is preparing new nuclear legislation that will establish regulatory frameworks and enable private companies to develop prototypes upon meeting specific conditions. The ministry has announced substantial incentives to stimulate investment in this emerging sector.
Selcuk Bayraktar, chairman of Baykar (unrelated to the energy minister), emphasized at a September event that nuclear energy will be crucial as global energy demands escalate. He noted Turkey’s current underrepresentation in the field and stressed the need for developing indigenous nuclear capability through extensive engineering education.
Baykar, renowned for its Bayraktar TB2 combat drones that have impacted conflicts across Syria, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Libya, is now expanding into energy technology. While SMRs remain experimental and capital-intensive, Turkey is actively exploring multiple technological approaches. A recent delegation visited Copenhagen Atomics in Denmark to study autonomous thorium-powered reactors—particularly relevant given Turkey’s substantial thorium reserves that could fuel future energy independence.