How Musk is helping Turkish drones

Among other things, he is also involved in the US defense industry, even without his direct intervention. But even within the US, complaints are strong about some issues, such as the rapid development of Turkish drones.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. has called on Elon Musk to help limit the growing influence of mainly Turkish (and secondarily Israeli and Chinese) drone manufacturers in the global market.

GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue wrote to Musk, criticizing slow US government policies and bureaucratic delays that have allowed competitors like Turkey to secure major international contracts.

He stressed that these delays have cost US defense companies significant sales, limiting their ability to invest in research and development.

Elon Musk and SpaceX are indirectly playing a role in the development of Turkish drones, mainly through the provision of satellite communications through the Starlink system.

While there are no official reports that SpaceX is working directly with Turkish drone companies, there are several ways in which its technology could impact the Turkish UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) industry.

SpaceX’s satellite technology offers fast and secure communications to military and unmanned systems.

Thanks to Starlink technology, its drones, such as the Bayraktar TB2, Akıncı and Kızılelma, will be able to operate at longer distances and with increased resistance to interference (anti-jamming).

Turkey has launched its own satellites through SpaceX, such as Türksat 5A and 5B, which support military and telecommunications applications.

These satellites enhance the capabilities of Turkish drones, offering wider coverage and secure communication in remote areas.

Musk maintains good relations with the Turkish government and has met several times with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

These meetings have discussed issues related to space cooperation, communications technologies and AI, which could indirectly benefit Turkey’s defense industry.

Turkey currently dominates 65% of the global drone export market, with Baykar alone controlling almost 60%, far surpassing its closest competitor in the United States.

Baykar’s Bayraktar TB2 drones have been widely used by Ukraine, Azerbaijan and North African countries, enhancing their global recognition.

The company is also developing the Kızılelma unmanned combat aircraft and the Bayraktar TB3, designed for Turkey's first aircraft carrier.